Examkin

Standard English Conventions

420 questions

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Question 41Question →

The passage below is from an academic text about linguistic history. Which form of the verb 'struggle' correctly completes the sentence in accordance with the rules of Standard English conventions?

Fill in the blanks below

Before the basalt slab known as the Rosetta Stone was discovered in Egypt in 1799, European scholars for centuries to decipher ancient hieroglyphic inscriptions. Because these researchers had long operated under the false assumption that the characters were entirely symbolic rather than phonetic, they made no progress until the slab provided a bilingual key.
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Answer

had struggled (or had been struggling)
The correct answer is 'had struggled' or 'had been struggling'. The sentence describes an action that occurred over a duration ('for centuries') before another event in the past ('was discovered in 1799'). To indicate that an action was ongoing or completed prior to a specific point in the past, the past perfect tense ('had struggled') or past perfect continuous tense ('had been struggling') must be used.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the time frame established by the context.
The phrase 'was discovered in Egypt in 1799' establishes a specific event in the past.
Verbs must align with the temporal relationship defined by the text.
2
Determine the relationship between the missing verb and the established past event.
The action of trying to decipher the inscriptions occurred over a period ('for centuries') prior to the discovery in 1799.
Actions that were completed or ongoing prior to a specific point in the past require the past perfect tense.
3
Select the correct past perfect form of the verb 'struggle'.
'had struggled' (past perfect) or 'had been struggling' (past perfect continuous) correctly indicates this sequence.
These forms correctly show that the action occurred before the discovery.

Key Concept

Verb Tense, Aspect, and Mood
Question 42Question →

Complete the sentence with the proper subject so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English, ensuring that the introductory modifying phrase logically describes the subject.

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Designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí, has been under construction in Barcelona since 1882.
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Answer

the Sagrada Família
The introductory participial phrase 'Designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí' must logically modify the subject of the main clause. The basilica 'the Sagrada Família' is the entity designed by Gaudí, making it the grammatically correct subject to place immediately after the modifier.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory modifying phrase and its logical target.
The phrase 'Designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí' describes a specific structure or building designed by Gaudí.
An introductory modifier must logically describe the subject that immediately follows it.
2
Determine the correct subject that fits both the modifier and the context of the sentence.
The iconic basilica 'the Sagrada Família' is the famous building designed by Gaudí that has been under construction in Barcelona since 1882.
Placing 'the Sagrada Família' immediately after the comma ensures that the modifier correctly describes the subject of the main clause, avoiding a dangling modifier.

Key Concept

Subject-Modifier Agreement
Question 43Question →

The following passage is from an academic text about South American archaeology. Complete the passage by entering the single punctuation mark that should go in the blank to correctly set off the nonessential element.

Fill in the blanks below

In 1992, archaeologist Maria Gutierrez uncovered a collection of ancient stone tools at the Arroyo Seco site in Argentina. The artifacts, which were found in close association with the remains of extinct Pleistocene megafaunastrongly suggest that early humans inhabited South America thousands of years earlier than previously assumed by the scientific community.
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Answer

A comma is the correct punctuation mark to set off the nonessential element.
The sentence contains the nonessential relative clause 'which were found in close association with the remains of extinct Pleistocene megafauna.' Because this clause is introduced with a comma after the noun 'artifacts', it must also be closed with a comma before the verb 'strongly suggest' to maintain punctuation symmetry.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the nonessential element within the sentence.
The phrase 'which were found in close association with the remains of extinct Pleistocene megafauna' is a nonessential relative clause that provides extra description but is not grammatically essential to the main clause.
This helps determine which part of the sentence needs to be set off by punctuation.
2
Locate the punctuation mark used to open the nonessential clause.
The clause is introduced with a comma after the word 'artifacts'.
Symmetrical punctuation rules require that the opening and closing punctuation marks for a nonessential element must match.
3
Determine the matching punctuation mark needed to close the nonessential clause.
Since the clause begins with a comma, it must close with a comma right before the main verb 'strongly suggest'.
Using a comma maintains punctuation symmetry and grammatically isolates the nonessential clause.

Key Concept

Nonessential elements (such as appositives, parenthetical phrases, or relative clauses) must be set off from the rest of the sentence using matching punctuation marks: two commas, two em dashes, or parentheses. Mixing punctuation marks (such as starting with a comma and ending with a dash) is incorrect.
Question 44Question →

The following passage is an excerpt from an academic text on astrobiology. The second sentence contains a nonessential appositive phrase. What punctuation mark should be inserted into the blank to correctly set off this phrase?

Fill in the blanks below

In the hyper-arid McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica, astrobiologists have discovered endolithic communities, which are microbial ecosystems that survive inside the microscopic pores of translucent rocks. These resilient organisms—primarily lichens and cyanobacteria obtain their moisture from transient snowmelt and photosynthesize using light that filters through the mineral layers. This habitat demonstrates that life can persist under the most extreme terrestrial conditions, offering a potential model for past life on Mars.
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Answer

An em dash (—)
The sentence includes the nonessential appositive phrase 'primarily lichens and cyanobacteria' to describe 'These resilient organisms.' In Standard English, nonessential elements must be set off from the rest of the sentence using a matching pair of punctuation marks: two commas, two em dashes, or two parentheses. Because the appositive phrase is introduced with an em dash (—), it must be closed with a matching em dash (—) before the main verb 'obtain' to maintain grammatical symmetry.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the nonessential element in the sentence.
The phrase 'primarily lichens and cyanobacteria' is an appositive phrase that provides nonessential details about the subject 'These resilient organisms.'
Identifying the nonessential element is necessary to determine which part of the sentence must be set off with punctuation.
2
Examine the punctuation mark used to introduce the nonessential element.
The phrase is introduced with an em dash (—) immediately following the word 'organisms.'
Standard English conventions require that nonessential elements be set off using matching pairs of punctuation (such as two commas, two em dashes, or two parentheses).
3
Determine the matching punctuation mark for the blank.
To match the opening em dash, the blank must be filled with an em dash (—) before the main verb 'obtain.'
Using any other punctuation mark, such as a comma, would create an asymmetrical punctuation pattern, which violates Standard English conventions.

Key Concept

Punctuation of nonessential elements requires matching pairs of commas, em dashes, or parentheses to set off the parenthetical information.
Question 45Question →

Which verb form correctly completes the blank in the academic passage below?

Fill in the blanks below

Although modern historians often view the 1919 Treaty of Versailles as a deeply flawed accord that paved the way for subsequent global conflict, many of the allied diplomats who actually attended the peace negotiations in Paris firmly that the final agreement would establish a stable and lasting peace throughout Europe.
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Answer

believed
The simple past tense verb 'believed' is correct because it maintains tense consistency with the other past tense verbs in the sentence, specifically 'paved' and 'attended', which establish a historical narrative about the 1919 Treaty of Versailles.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the time frame established by the context of the sentence.
The sentence discusses a historical event in the past (the 1919 Treaty of Versailles and negotiations in Paris).
Temporal indicators such as '1919' and the past tense verbs 'paved' and 'attended' establish a past-tense narrative framework.
2
Select the verb form that maintains consistency with this past-tense framework.
The simple past tense verb 'believed' matches the established past tense.
The action of believing occurred at the same time as the negotiations described by 'attended', so the simple past tense is required to maintain consistency.

Key Concept

Verb Tense Consistency
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 46Question →

Complete the text by filling in the blank with a noun phrase that conforms to the conventions of Standard English (specifically, subject-modifier agreement).

Fill in the blanks below

Using sticky, glistening droplets to trap unsuspecting insects, survives in nutrient-poor bogs by extracting nitrogen directly from its prey.
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Answer

the sundew plant (or a similar noun phrase identifying the plant itself as the subject)
The introductory phrase 'Using sticky, glistening droplets to trap unsuspecting insects' is a participial modifier that must describe the grammatical subject that follows it. Since the sundew plant is the entity that uses these droplets, the main clause must begin with a noun phrase representing the plant (such as 'the sundew plant' or 'the plant') to maintain subject-modifier agreement.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the introductory modifying phrase.
The phrase 'Using sticky, glistening droplets to trap unsuspecting insects' describes an action.
To identify what entity must serve as the subject of the sentence.
2
Determine the logical subject of the action.
The sundew plant is the entity that uses sticky droplets to trap insects.
To ensure the modifier logically and grammatically aligns with the subject of the main clause.
3
Formulate the subject noun phrase to fill the blank.
The noun phrase 'the sundew plant' (or 'the plant') is placed directly after the modifier.
This establishes correct subject-modifier agreement and avoids a dangling or misplaced modifier.

Key Concept

Subject-Modifier Agreement
Question 47Question →

Originally cultivated in the Andean highlands for its nutritious seeds, _______

Which choice completes the passage so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: quinoa is now grown by farmers worldwide due to its ability to tolerate diverse soil conditions.

Answer

quinoa is now grown by farmers worldwide due to its ability to tolerate diverse soil conditions.
The introductory modifying phrase 'Originally cultivated in the Andean highlands for its nutritious seeds' describes a crop. The option beginning with 'quinoa' correctly places the logical subject immediately after the comma, satisfying the subject-modifier agreement rule.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory modifying phrase and the noun it logically describes.
The modifying phrase 'Originally cultivated in the Andean highlands for its nutritious seeds' must describe a crop or plant (quinoa), not farmers, popularity, or cultivation.
An introductory modifying phrase must be immediately followed by the noun it logically modifies to avoid a dangling or misplaced modifier.
2
Evaluate the choices to find the one where the logical subject immediately follows the modifier.
The option beginning with 'quinoa' is the only choice that correctly places the logical subject immediately after the comma.
Placing 'quinoa' at the beginning of the main clause ensures that the modifier correctly and logically describes the subject.

Key Concept

Subject-Modifier Agreement
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 48Question →

Although many people associate lavender primarily with modern aromatherapy, its cultivation dates back over two thousand years. Known for its sweet scent and vibrant purple flowers, _______

Which choice completes the passage so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: lavender is cultivated by gardeners around the world.

Answer

lavender is cultivated by gardeners around the world.
The introductory phrase 'Known for its sweet scent and vibrant purple flowers' is a modifier that must logically describe the noun 'lavender'. The correct option is the only choice that places 'lavender' immediately after the comma, ensuring correct subject-modifier agreement.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory modifying phrase and its logical subject.
The modifying phrase is 'Known for its sweet scent and vibrant purple flowers'. The logical subject being described is the plant 'lavender'.
According to English grammar rules, an introductory modifying phrase must be immediately followed by the noun it modifies.
2
Evaluate the choices to see which one begins with the logical subject.
Only the option beginning with 'lavender' places the correct subject immediately after the modifier.
Other choices place 'gardeners', 'the cultivation of lavender', or 'cultivating lavender' directly after the comma, creating dangling or misplaced modifiers.

Key Concept

Subject-Modifier Agreement
Question 49Question →

During her research in the 1940s, geneticist Barbara McClintock made a revolutionary discovery while studying maize chromosomes. McClintock identified transposons ______ which challenged the prevailing scientific belief that genomes are static. Her pioneering work eventually earned her the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1983.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: —genetic elements that can change positions within a genome—

Answer

—genetic elements that can change positions within a genome—
The sentence includes a nonessential appositive phrase that provides additional information about transposons. In Standard English, nonessential elements must be set off from the rest of the sentence using matching punctuation marks on both sides. The option that begins and ends the phrase with em dashes correctly isolates the nonessential clause.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the nonessential element in the sentence.
The phrase 'genetic elements that can change positions within a genome' functions as an appositive that describes 'transposons' and is not essential to the main clause structure.
Nonessential elements must be separated from the rest of the sentence by matching punctuation marks.
2
Check the punctuation choices for symmetry.
Standard English conventions require that if a nonessential element is set off by an em dash on one side, it must be closed by an em dash on the other side.
Mismatching punctuation marks (like a comma paired with an em dash) creates grammatically incorrect asymmetry.
3
Select the option with matching punctuation.
The option containing '—genetic elements that can change positions within a genome—' successfully closes the parenthetical information using a pair of em dashes.
This maintains punctuation symmetry and correctly conforms to standard English conventions.

Key Concept

Punctuation of Nonessential Elements
Estimated Time:45s
Question 50Question →

The passage below contains a blank. Which form of the verb 'examine' correctly completes the sentence to conform to the conventions of Standard English?

Fill in the blanks below

In her pioneering 1928 study on chromosomal dynamics in maize, geneticist Barbara McClintock faced skepticism from colleagues who doubted her early observations of genetic transposition. To resolve these doubts, McClintock insisted that any researcher who questioned her findings the cellular samples under a microscope for themselves before publishing a formal critique.
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Answer

examine (or should examine)
The verb 'insisted' is a verb of demand and command. In Standard English, subordinate 'that'-clauses following verbs of command, demand, or insistence require the subjunctive mood. The subjunctive mood is formed using the bare base form of the verb—in this case, 'examine' (or the modal option 'should examine'). The base form is used regardless of whether the subject ('any researcher') is singular or plural, and regardless of the past tense of the main verb ('insisted').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the main verb of the matrix clause and its grammatical influence.
The matrix verb is 'insisted', which is a verb of demand, insistence, or command introducing a 'that'-clause.
Identifying the matrix verb helps determine the mood of the subordinate clause.
2
Determine the required grammatical mood for the subordinate clause.
Verbs expressing insistence or demand trigger the subjunctive mood in the subordinate clause.
Standard English conventions require the subjunctive mood to express mandates or demands.
3
Identify the correct verb form for the subjunctive mood.
The subjunctive mood uses the base form of the verb ('examine') for all subjects, regardless of the tense of the matrix verb or the singular subject 'any researcher'.
Applying the base form satisfies the requirement for a subjunctive construction.

Key Concept

Subjunctive Mood in Subordinate Clauses of Demand or Command
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Question 51Question →

Having been long dismissed by contemporaries as mere collectors of botanical specimens rather than active contributors to scientific theory, _______

Which choice completes the passage so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: early nineteenth-century women botanists actually shaped the development of evolutionary biology through their meticulous documentation of plant hybridization.

Answer

The correct answer is the option starting with 'early nineteenth-century women botanists', which correctly identifies them as the subject of the introductory modifying phrase.
The correct choice is the option that begins with 'early nineteenth-century women botanists'. The introductory modifying phrase 'Having been long dismissed by contemporaries as mere collectors of botanical specimens rather than active contributors to scientific theory' describes people. Therefore, the main clause must begin with the noun phrase representing these people ('early nineteenth-century women botanists') to maintain proper subject-modifier agreement.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the introductory modifying phrase at the beginning of the sentence.
The phrase 'Having been long dismissed by contemporaries as mere collectors of botanical specimens rather than active contributors to scientific theory' describes people who could be dismissed as collectors (i.e., women botanists).
Identifying the logical subject of the modifier is the first step in resolving modifier agreement.
2
Evaluate the beginning of each answer choice to find the noun or pronoun that the modifier logically describes.
The noun phrase 'early nineteenth-century women botanists' is the only logical match.
The conventions of Standard English require that an introductory modifier be placed immediately before the noun or pronoun it modifies to avoid dangling or misplaced modifiers.
3
Select the choice that starts with the correct subject and maintains grammatical flow.
The choice beginning with 'early nineteenth-century women botanists' is the only one that places the logical subject immediately after the comma.
Other choices place 'the development of evolutionary biology', 'meticulous documentation', or 'scientific journals' as the subject, which creates dangling or misplaced modifiers.

Key Concept

Subject-Modifier Agreement
Question 52Question →

In 1972, French analysts at the Pierrelatte uranium enrichment plant discovered a bizarre anomaly in uranium samples from Gabon. The proportion of the fissile isotope uranium-235 was significantly lower than the standard value found everywhere else on Earth. Further investigation revealed that the Oklo deposits ______ had actually undergone self-sustaining nuclear fission reactions approximately two billion years ago.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: —which contained a unique combination of physical conditions—

Answer

—which contained a unique combination of physical conditions—
The correct answer correctly uses a pair of em dashes to set off the nonessential relative clause modifying the subject. In English, nonessential elements must be bracketed by matching punctuation marks: either two commas or two em dashes. Since the clause is followed by the main verb of the sentence, wrapping the clause in em dashes successfully maintains grammatical symmetry.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the grammatical role of the clause inside the blank.
The clause 'which contained a unique combination of physical conditions' is a nonessential relative clause that modifies the noun phrase 'the Oklo deposits'.
Because the sentence remains grammatically complete and retains its core meaning without this clause, the clause is nonessential and must be set off with punctuation.
2
Determine the correct punctuation rules for nonessential elements.
Nonessential elements must be set off by matching punctuation marks: either two commas, two em dashes, or two parentheses.
Using mismatched punctuation (like a comma and an em dash) creates an asymmetrical construction, which violates standard grammatical conventions.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the matching pair of punctuation marks.
The option containing '—which contained a unique combination of physical conditions—' uses two em dashes, which is a correct matching pair.
This establishes a consistent and grammatically correct boundary for the parenthetical clause.

Key Concept

Punctuation of Nonessential Elements
Question 53Question →

Before the Rosetta Stone was deciphered in the early nineteenth century, scholars ______ the meaning of Egyptian hieroglyphs for over a millennium, mistakenly assuming that the script was purely ideographic rather than phonetic. This breakthrough eventually allowed historians to read ancient records, showing that the system of writing actually represented a sophisticated combination of logographic, syllabic, and alphabetic elements.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: had debated

Answer

had debated
The correct answer is 'had debated' because the sentence describes an action (scholars debating) that took place and was ongoing over a period of time ('for over a millennium') prior to another completed past action ('was deciphered'). The past perfect tense is the appropriate verb form to convey this sequence of events in the past.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the timeline established by the context clues in the passage.
The passage establishes a past temporal framework with the verbs 'was deciphered' and 'allowed'.
Identifying the correct temporal anchors helps determine the chronological relationship of the missing verb.
2
Determine the relationship between the blank and the past time anchor.
The scholars' debating occurred and was ongoing 'for over a millennium' prior to the decipherment in the early nineteenth century.
An action that occurred and was ongoing before a specific point in the past requires the past perfect tense.
3
Select the verb form that corresponds to the past perfect tense.
The form 'had debated' is the past perfect of the verb 'debate'.
Choosing 'had debated' maintains grammatical consistency and logical temporal ordering.

Key Concept

Verb Tense, Aspect, and Mood
Question 54Question →

Hoping to document the migration patterns of monarch butterflies, _______

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Elena Vance, a biologist, placed tiny tracking tags on the insects' wings.

Answer

Elena Vance, a biologist, placed tiny tracking tags on the insects' wings.
The introductory phrase 'Hoping to document the migration patterns of monarch butterflies' is a modifying phrase that must logically describe the subject of the main clause. The subject who is hoping to document the migration is the biologist Elena Vance. Therefore, the main clause must begin with the noun phrase 'Elena Vance' to ensure proper subject-modifier agreement.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory modifying phrase and determine what or who it logically describes.
The modifying phrase 'Hoping to document the migration patterns of monarch butterflies' describes a person who has this hope, which is the biologist Elena Vance.
A modifying phrase must be placed next to the noun or pronoun it logically modifies to avoid a dangling modifier.
2
Select the option that begins with the logical subject described by the modifying phrase.
The option starting with the proper noun 'Elena Vance' correctly aligns the subject with the modifier.
This alignment ensures that the sentence follows the conventions of Standard English regarding subject-modifier agreement.

Key Concept

Subject-modifier agreement requires that an introductory modifying phrase be followed immediately by the noun or pronoun it logically modifies.
Question 55Question →

In the mid-twentieth century, ecologists generally assumed that kelp forests were stable ecosystems that could withstand significant environmental fluctuations. However, recent studies on marine trophic cascades have challenged this view. Observing the rapid collapse of kelp canopies following the local extinction of sea otters, __________

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: marine biologists realized that top-down predatory control is crucial for maintaining coastal biodiversity.

Answer

marine biologists realized that top-down predatory control is crucial for maintaining coastal biodiversity.
The introductory modifying phrase 'Observing the rapid collapse of kelp canopies following the local extinction of sea otters' describes an action that must be logically performed by the subject of the main clause. The group performing the action of observing is the marine biologists. Therefore, the main clause must begin with the noun phrase 'marine biologists' as its subject. The option beginning with 'marine biologists' correctly establishes this relationship, making the sentence grammatically sound.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory modifying phrase and determine the entity that logically performs the action described.
The action of 'observing' must be performed by a conscious observer, which in this context is 'marine biologists'.
An introductory participial phrase must modify the subject of the clause that immediately follows it.
2
Evaluate the subject of each option to find the one that begins with the logical subject.
Only the option starting with 'marine biologists' provides the correct logical subject immediately following the modifier.
Placing any other noun or phrase immediately after the modifier creates a dangling or misplaced modifier error.

Key Concept

Subject-Modifier Agreement
Question 56Question →

In 1967, astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell Burnell detected a series of regularly spaced radio pulses while analyzing data from a newly constructed radio telescope. Initially, some researchers hypothesized that the signals were artificial transmissions from an extraterrestrial civilization. However, this anomaly ______ ultimately proved to be the first discovered pulsar, a highly magnetized rotating neutron star.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: , which she and her advisor Antony Hewish initially referred to as "Little Green Men 1" (LGM-1),

Answer

The correct option is the one that begins and ends the nonessential clause with a comma: ", which she and her advisor Antony Hewish initially referred to as "Little Green Men 1" (LGM-1),"
The sentence contains the nonessential relative clause 'which she and her advisor Antony Hewish initially referred to as "Little Green Men 1" (LGM-1)'. To conform to standard English conventions, this nonessential clause must be set off from the rest of the sentence with a matching pair of punctuation marks. The correct choice uses a comma at both the beginning and the end of the clause, properly isolating it.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the nonessential element in the sentence.
The clause starting with 'which she and her advisor...' is nonessential because the main sentence ('this anomaly ultimately proved to be the first discovered pulsar...') remains grammatically complete and retains its core meaning without it.
Recognizing that the clause is nonessential helps determine that it must be set off by matching punctuation marks.
2
Examine the punctuation options to identify matching pairs.
The correct option must use the same punctuation mark at both the beginning and the end of the nonessential clause.
Standard English conventions require that nonessential elements be set off with a matching pair of commas, em dashes, or parentheses.
3
Select the choice that correctly implements matching punctuation.
The choice starting with a comma and ending with a comma is the only grammatically correct and symmetrical option.
All other choices create asymmetry by mixing different punctuation marks or omitting one of the paired marks entirely.

Key Concept

Nonessential elements must be set off from the rest of the sentence using a matching pair of punctuation marks (commas, em dashes, or parentheses).
Question 57Question →

In 1915, chemist Alice Ball pioneered a groundbreaking technique to make chaulmoogra oil injectable, offering hope to thousands of leprosy patients. Her innovative process ______ involved chemically modifying the oil's fatty acids so they could be easily dissolved in water and absorbed by the human body.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: , which became known as the Ball Method,

Answer

The correct option is the one that sets off the nonessential relative clause with matching commas: ', which became known as the Ball Method,'
The sentence contains a nonessential relative clause, 'which became known as the Ball Method,' that describes the 'innovative process.' Nonessential elements must be set off from the rest of the sentence with matching punctuation marks at both the beginning and the end of the phrase. The correct choice uses a comma at the beginning of the clause and a matching comma at the end of the clause, properly isolating the nonessential information.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the core subject and verb of the main clause to determine sentence structure.
The subject is 'process' and the main verb is 'involved.'
Understanding the core structure helps identify whether the intervening clause is essential or nonessential.
2
Evaluate the clause 'which became known as the Ball Method' to see if it is essential to the sentence.
The clause provides extra parenthetical details about the process but is not required for the sentence to be grammatically complete.
Nonessential elements must be set off with matching punctuation marks, such as two commas or two em dashes.
3
Check the answer choices for a matching pair of punctuation marks that correctly isolates the nonessential clause.
The choice using a comma before 'which' and a comma after 'Method' successfully isolates the clause.
Using mismatched punctuation (such as an em dash and a comma) or omitting one of the marks creates grammatical asymmetry.

Key Concept

Punctuation of Nonessential Elements
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 58Question →

Complete the text by filling in the blank with the correct phrase from the options in parentheses: (Claude Monet painted / Claude Monet's paintings depicted). Which phrase conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

Fill in the blanks below

In the late nineteenth century, Impressionist artists sought to move away from traditional studio painting in order to study the natural world directly. Hoping to capture the fleeting effects of light and atmospheric conditions, the Rouen Cathedral at dozens of different times of day.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

Claude Monet painted
The introductory phrase 'Hoping to capture the fleeting effects of light and atmospheric conditions' is a participial modifier. Under Standard English conventions, an introductory modifying phrase must logically describe the subject that immediately follows it. Because an artist (Claude Monet) is the one who can logically hope to capture light, the main clause must begin with 'Claude Monet'. The phrase 'Claude Monet painted' correctly places the logical subject immediately after the modifier.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory modifying phrase at the start of the sentence.
The phrase is 'Hoping to capture the fleeting effects of light and atmospheric conditions,' which is a present participial phrase.
Recognizing the modifier is necessary to determine what noun it must logically describe.
2
Determine the logical subject of the modifying phrase.
The entity doing the 'hoping to capture' must be a person, specifically the artist Claude Monet, rather than his paintings.
Standard English requires that an introductory modifier logically describe the subject that immediately follows it.
3
Evaluate the parenthetical choices to see which one correctly begins with the logical subject.
The phrase 'Claude Monet painted' starts with the correct subject 'Claude Monet'. The phrase 'Claude Monet's paintings depicted' starts with 'paintings', causing a dangling modifier.
Matching the modifier to the correct noun ensures the sentence conforms to Standard English conventions.

Key Concept

Subject-Modifier Agreement
Question 59Question →

The passage below contains a nonessential clause set off by punctuation. What punctuation mark should be typed in the blank to correctly complete the sentence?

Fill in the blanks below

In 19081908, German chemist Fritz Haber developed a method to synthesize ammonia directly from atmospheric nitrogen. This chemical process—which later won Haber the Nobel Prize in Chemistryenabled the mass production of synthetic fertilizers, ultimately sustaining global food supplies.
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Answer

An em dash (— or --) is required in the blank to match the em dash that introduces the nonessential clause.
The nonessential relative clause 'which later won Haber the Nobel Prize in Chemistry' is introduced by an em dash. To maintain grammatical symmetry, the clause must also end with an em dash. Therefore, an em dash (—) is the correct punctuation mark.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the nonessential element in the sentence.
The phrase 'which later won Haber the Nobel Prize in Chemistry' is a nonessential relative clause because removing it does not change the core meaning of the sentence.
Nonessential elements must be set off from the rest of the sentence with matching punctuation marks.
2
Identify the punctuation mark that begins the nonessential clause.
The clause is introduced by an em dash ('—').
To maintain punctuation symmetry, the nonessential clause must end with the same type of punctuation mark that started it.
3
Determine the correct punctuation mark for the blank.
The blank must be filled with an em dash ('—') to match the opening em dash.
Mixing different punctuation marks (such as starting with an em dash and ending with a comma or parenthesis) is grammatically incorrect.

Key Concept

Punctuation of Nonessential Elements
Question 60Question →

Complete the text by filling in the blank with the word or phrase that conforms to the conventions of Standard English.

Fill in the blanks below

To investigate the composition of Saturn's rings, the Cassini spacecraft was launched in 1997. Having traveled for nearly seven years to reach the gas giant, began transmitting unprecedented data back to Earth in 2004.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

the spacecraft (or 'Cassini' / 'it')
The introductory modifier 'Having traveled for nearly seven years to reach the gas giant' describes the entity that physically journeyed to Saturn. The Cassini spacecraft (referred to as 'the spacecraft', 'Cassini', or 'it') is the only noun that logically fits this description. Placing it immediately after the comma satisfies the rule of subject-modifier agreement.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory modifying phrase.
The modifying phrase is 'Having traveled for nearly seven years to reach the gas giant'.
Understanding what the modifier describes is the first step to resolving subject-modifier agreement.
2
Determine the logical subject of this modifier.
The entity that traveled for nearly seven years to reach Saturn is the Cassini spacecraft.
The modifier must directly describe the subject that performs the action of traveling.
3
Fill the blank with a noun or pronoun representing this logical subject.
The sentence is completed with 'the spacecraft', 'Cassini', or 'it'.
This ensures that the subject matches the introductory modifier, preventing a dangling modifier.

Key Concept

Subject-Modifier Agreement
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Standard English Conventions Practice Questions — SAT — Page 3 | Examkin