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SAT Reading & Writing: Semicolons and Sentence Boundaries (Drill 3)

Drill 3 · Reading & Writing · Semicolons and Sentence Boundaries

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About This Drill

SAT Reading & Writing: Semicolons and Sentence Boundaries (Drill 3) is a Reading & Writing practice drill covering Semicolons and Sentence Boundaries. It contains 5 original questions created by Brian Stewart, a Barron's test prep author with over 20 years of tutoring experience.

SAT semicolon and sentence boundary questions test correct joining of independent clauses, proper use of semicolons before conjunctive adverbs, and avoidance of comma splices and run-on sentences. This drill draws on sentences from science, history, and social science passages.

Questions & Explanations

Text
The pianist had rehearsed the concerto for months without a single ________ her flawless performance at the recital surprised no one in the audience.

Question 1. Which choice conforms to Standard English?

  • A) mistake,
  • B) mistake; ✓
  • C) mistake
  • D) mistake, and her

Explanation: Two independent clauses ('The pianist had rehearsed...' and 'her flawless performance...'). A semicolon correctly joins them. A comma alone creates a comma splice.

Text
The senator voted against the spending ________ although several members of her own party had urged her to support it.

Question 2. Which choice conforms to Standard English?

  • A) bill;
  • B) bill:
  • C) bill, ✓
  • D) bill

Explanation: 'Although' introduces a dependent clause. A comma is standard before a trailing concessive clause. A semicolon cannot precede a dependent clause.

Text
The documentary has been praised by critics for its balanced ________ however, some historians have questioned the accuracy of several key scenes.

Question 3. Which choice conforms to Standard English?

  • A) reporting,
  • B) reporting; ✓
  • C) reporting
  • D) reportings'

Explanation: 'However' is a conjunctive adverb joining two independent clauses. A semicolon must precede it. A comma creates a comma splice. No possession is indicated based on the context.

Text
The company relocated its headquarters to Austin, ________ because the city offered significant tax incentives and a growing pool of tech talent.

Question 4. Which choice conforms to Standard English?

  • A) Texas;
  • B) Texas:
  • C) Texas,
  • D) Texas ✓

Explanation: 'Because' introduces a dependent clause explaining the reason. No punctuation is needed between the main clause and an essential dependent clause beginning with 'because.'

Text
The storm knocked out power to thousands of ________ as a result, schools and government offices remained closed for two days.

Question 5. Which choice conforms to Standard English?

  • A) homes; ✓
  • B) homes,
  • C) homes
  • D) , homes

Explanation: 'As a result' is a conjunctive adverb joining two independent clauses. A semicolon must precede it and a comma must follow it. A comma creates a comma splice.