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SAT Reading and Writing skill page

SAT Boundaries Between Clauses Practice

Check whether each side of the punctuation can stand alone as a complete clause.

Practice boundaries between clauses in Dolphin SATPractice questions
10-16 min practice time3 questions on pageStandard English Conventions
Practice time10-16 min
Question bank3 questions
Best forStandard English Conventions

What this tests

What to know for this SAT skill

Dolphin question bank

Practice your skill

Question 1 of 3Hard

Sociologist Todd Gitlin co-opted the term “recombinant,” normally used in reference to genetic engineering, to describe serialized television shows of the 1980s. Gitlin’s use of the term referenced TV studios’ practice of repackaging successful narrative formulas as new even shows that varied only slightly from other shows still attracted sizeable audiences.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
  1. content, in that era
  2. content; in that era,
  3. content in that era,
  4. content, in that era,
Show answer and solution
Correct answerB. content; in that era,

Solution walkthrough

  1. Choice B is the best answer.
  2. The convention being tested is the use of punctuation within a sentence.
  3. This choice uses a semicolon in a conventional way to join the first main clause ("Gitlin’s…content") and the second main clause beginning with a supplementary phrase ("in…audiences").
  4. Further, placing a comma after "era" separates the supplementary phrase "in that era" from the rest of the main clause that follows ("even…audiences").
Why the other choices miss
Choice A is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. Without a conjunction following it, a comma can’t be used in this way to join two main clauses. Further, this choice fails to mark the boundary between the supplementary phrase "in that era" and the rest of the main clause that follows ("even…audiences"). Choice C is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The two main clauses ("Gitlin’s…content" and "in…audiences") are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. Without a conjunction following it, a comma can’t be used in this way to join two main clauses.
Question 2 of 3Medium

Horsepower is a unit of measurement used to determine how much power a vehicle produces. The measurement is based on how much and how quickly weight can be one unit of mechanical horsepower is equivalent to the amount of power it takes to lift 550 pounds one foot off the ground in one second.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
  1. moved, for example,
  2. moved,
  3. moved; for example,
  4. moved
Show answer and solution
Correct answerC. moved; for example,

Solution walkthrough

  1. Choice C is the best answer.
  2. The convention being tested is the use of punctuation within a sentence.
  3. This choice uses a semicolon in a conventional way to join the first main clause ("The measurement...moved") and the second main clause ("for example...second").
Why the other choices miss
Choice A is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. Without a coordinating conjunction, a comma can’t be used in this way to join the two main clauses ("The measurement…moved" and "for example…second"). Choice B is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. Without a conjunction following it, a comma can’t be used in this way to join the two main clauses ("The measurement…moved" and "one unit…second"). Choice D is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The two main clauses ("The measurement…moved" and "one unit…second") are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction.
Question 3 of 3Hard

During the English neoclassical period (1660–1789), many writers imitated the epic poetry and satires of ancient Greece and Rome. They were not the first in England to adopt the literary modes of classical some of the most prominent figures of the earlier Renaissance period were also influenced by ancient Greek and Roman literature.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
  1. antiquity, however
  2. antiquity, however,
  3. antiquity, however;
  4. antiquity; however,
Show answer and solution
Correct answerC. antiquity, however;

Solution walkthrough

  1. Choice C is the best answer.
  2. The convention being tested is the punctuation of a supplementary phrase following a clause.
  3. This choice uses a comma to separate the supplementary adverb phrase "however" from the independent clause it modifies ("They...antiquity") and uses a semicolon to join the first independent clause ("They...antiquity") and the second independent clause ("some...literature").
  4. Further, placing the semicolon after "however" indicates that the information in the clause that this is part of (that neoclassical writers were not the first to adopt classical literary modes) is contrary to what might be assumed from the information in the previous sentence (that the neoclassical writers were unique in imitating classical epic poetry and satires).
Why the other choices miss
Choice A is incorrect because it fails to mark the boundary after "however" between the two independent clauses with appropriate punctuation. Choice B is incorrect because the comma after "however" can’t be used in this way to mark the boundary between the two independent clauses. Choice D is incorrect because placing the semicolon after "antiquity" illogically indicates that the information in the clause that this is part of (that prominent Renaissance figures were also influenced by classical literature) is contrary to the information in the previous clause (that neoclassical writers were not the first to adopt classical literary modes).

Avoid these traps

Common mistakes on this skill

Punctuating before identifying clause types

The correct boundary depends on whether each side is an independent clause, dependent clause, or phrase.

Joining two sentences with only a comma

Two independent clauses need a period, semicolon, or comma plus a coordinating conjunction.

Study plan

How to practice this skill in Dolphin

  1. Find the subject and finite verb on each side of the proposed boundary.
  2. Decide which groups of words can stand as complete sentences.
  3. Apply the boundary rule and reread to ensure no fragment or run-on remains.
Practice boundaries between clauses in Dolphin SAT

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FAQ

Questions about SAT Boundaries Between Clauses Practice

What is an independent clause?

It contains a subject and predicate and expresses a complete thought that can stand as a sentence.

How can two independent clauses be joined?

Use a period, a semicolon, or a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction.