SAT Grammar and Punctuation Practice Flashcards

The scientist presented her findings, ______ the audience was skeptical at first, they soon came to accept her conclusions.

Answer: although

The sentence needs a subordinating conjunction to introduce a concessive clause; 'although' correctly signals the contrast between skepticism and acceptance without creating a comma splice.

Maria finished the report on time; ______, she submitted it two days early.

Answer: in fact

'In fact' strengthens and adds precision to the first clause, indicating the reality was even more impressive than merely on time.

The dog, ______ had escaped the yard three times already, was fitted with a GPS collar.

Answer: which

The clause is nonrestrictive (set off by commas), so 'which' is correct; 'who' is for people, and 'that' is used in restrictive clauses without commas.

The coaches strategy was to keep the best players fresh for the final quarter.

Answer: coach's strategy

There is one coach, so the singular possessive 'coach's' is required to show that the strategy belongs to the coach.

Running at full speed, ______ the finish line was crossed before anyone expected.

Answer: the athlete crossed

The participial phrase 'Running at full speed' must modify the grammatical subject of the main clause; only 'the athlete crossed' places the athlete as the subject, correcting the dangling modifier.

The committee voted on three issues: budget allocation, staff hiring, and ______ new software.

Answer: adopting

Items in a list must be parallel; since the first two items are gerund phrases ('budget allocation,' 'staff hiring'), the third must also be a gerund form: 'adopting new software.'

The novel, which was published in 1851, ______ considered one of the greatest works of American literature.

Answer: is

The subject is 'The novel' (singular); despite the intervening clause, the verb must agree: 'is.'