SAT Digital Reading and Writing Test quick start guide: Difference between revisions

*'''periods''' separate sentences

=== What PERIODS do & how to eliminate using the rule: ===

* elimination:

**if the sentence is grammatically or logically incomplete, the period is wrong   

***i.e., SUBJECT VERB and an object or subject complement if needed to make sense

*practice questions: 886dc9f9, aab74a3b, ce81d0b7 (SC)

*combine independent clauses for comparison, contrast or some relation between them  

**as opposed to periods which completely separate the ideas/ thoughts

=== What SEMICOLONS do & how to eliminate using the rule/s: ===

*Elimination:

**'''A) NO CHANGE''' is incorrect because it creates a run-on sentence between the IC ("critics lauded") and the examples that follow

**'''B) cast:''' is correct because the colon is properly preceded by an IC and the colon sets up the the list that follows, which is separated by semicolons acting as "super commas"

**'''C) cast,''' is incorrect because the comma does not set up the subsequent list

**'''D) cast;''' is incorrect because the list that follows would not be parallel with the initial IC  

***(it would incorrectly create "IC; phrase; phrase; phrase", and IC and phrases are not conjoined by a semicolon)

 

*for an example of a "super comma" on the Digital SAT practice tests see [https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/sat-practice-test-3-digital.pdf Practice Test 3, Module 1, question 7]; the question is not about the super comma,

The work of Kiowa painter T.C. Cannon derives its power in part from the tension among his ______ influences<span style="background:yellow>''':''' </span>classic European portraiture, with its realistic treatment of face<span style="background:yellow>'''s;''' </span>the American pop art movement, with its vivid colors<span style="background:yellow>''';''' </span>and flatstyle, the intertribal painting style that rejects the effect of depth typically achieved through shading and perspective.

* commas create a pause

** we use commas to distinguish -- but not separate -- grammatical parts or ideas

*** i.e., create a pause between them ("let the reader breathe")

** commas combine those distinct sentence parts

*** as opposed to periods, semicolon, colons, dashes, which separate sentence parts.

*elimination:

**commas can only separate a S-V or V-O if acting parenthetically (see below for examples)

**commas can NOT combine two ICs without a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS)

**1 or more commas can separate multiple subjects, verbs or objects from one another (called "compound" subjects, verbs, objects)   

***''Joey, Joella and Josephina jumped for joy''   

****= a single comma between the subject "Joey" and its verb "jumped" because the comma creates a list and not a grammatical separation of the subject and verb