Conventions of Standard English
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SAT Reading & Writing › Conventions of Standard English
After months of debate, the committee announced ____ decision to fund the community garden, citing strong support from residents and a clear plan for maintenance. The project, which includes raised beds and a composting program, will be managed by volunteers who have already scheduled training sessions and posted sign-up forms at the library.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
their
it's
his or her
its
Explanation
In American English, the collective noun 'committee' is treated as singular and takes 'its.' 'Their' mismatches number, 'it's' is a contraction, and 'his or her' is illogical for a group.
The district surveyed families in five neighborhoods and learned that crowding often began before sunrise at drop-off. Facilities planners prioritized comfort, especially for staff who monitor early arrivals, so the district remodeled the ____ to include more seating and storage, since multiple schools reported that these spaces had become makeshift meeting rooms and teachers had long requested better ventilation and lighting.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
teacher's lounge
teachers' lounge
teacher's lounges
teachers' lounges
Explanation
The context calls for a plural possessive referring to lounges belonging to teachers at multiple schools: 'teachers' lounges.' The other options have incorrect number or apostrophe placement.
Although the collection of rare stamps ____ historians for decades, few outside the field realize how much can be learned from perforated paper, cancellations, and careful design. From commemorating treaties to depicting leaders, these tiny images trace global change in ways that textbooks alone cannot, revealing shifts in borders, currencies, and priorities.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
have fascinated
has fascinate
has fascinated
have been fascinating
Explanation
Collection' is a singular subject, so 'has fascinated' is the correct verb form. The other choices either use a plural verb, the wrong verb form, or create a tense/aspect error.
After years of testing recipes, our kitchen team compiled a short manual for new volunteers, many of whom have never cooked for a large group before. The manual emphasizes one crucial rule _____ taste as you go, adjusting seasoning with small increments so that flaws are caught early rather than at the table.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
rule, taste
rule: taste
rule; taste
rule because taste
Explanation
A colon correctly introduces and emphasizes the rule that follows. A comma or semicolon would be incorrect here, and adding 'because' changes the intended structure and meaning.
The list of recommended readings for the summer program includes classic novels as well as contemporary essays and scientific articles chosen by the faculty. Because the titles, along with their brief descriptions, _____ prominently on the first page of the handbook, even new students can find them without asking for help during orientation.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
appears
is appearing
appear
was appearing
Explanation
The subject is 'titles,' which is plural, so 'appear' is correct. 'Appears' mismatches the plural subject, 'is appearing' is the wrong tense/aspect for a general statement, and 'was appearing' is an illogical past progressive here.
At the regional robotics fair, teams worked for months to prepare, and the gym buzzed with visitors comparing notes and peering at prototypes. The [blank] varied widely in scope, from simple line-following bots built from kits to elaborate machines that could sort objects on their own.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
student's designs
students' designs'
students' designs
students's designs
Explanation
Because multiple students collectively own the designs, the plural possessive 'students' designs' is correct. The other options either make the owner singular, create an illogical possessive on 'designs,' or form the possessive incorrectly.
After the museum extended its hours and added family workshops, attendance initially remained flat, a perplexing outcome for the staff. ____ the new evening programs soon drew consistent crowds, suggesting that word-of-mouth mattered more than advertising and that the scheduling change simply needed time to take effect in the first month of the rollout.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
However the new
However; the new
However, the new
However: the new
Explanation
A sentence-initial conjunctive adverb like 'However' should be followed by a comma. A semicolon or colon after 'However' is incorrect here, and omitting the comma creates a punctuation error.
Many cities encourage residents to replace lawns with drought-tolerant plants, a strategy that reduces water use, provides habitat for pollinators, and adds visual variety to neighborhoods. ____ also lowers long-term maintenance costs for homeowners and decreases the need for chemical fertilizers, benefits that can make participation more appealing even to people hesitant to change their yards.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
They
This strategy
Those cities
These
Explanation
This strategy' clearly and grammatically refers to 'a strategy' and agrees with the singular verb 'lowers.' The other options are plural or refer to the wrong antecedent.
The library is busiest at noon; ____ seating is still available near the windows. Staff members have arranged small study carrels to promote quiet work, and signs remind visitors to keep voices low; the goal is to make the space welcoming to students who need a calm place to read or to review notes between classes.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
however,
however;
for example,
therefore,
Explanation
A correctly uses a semicolon before and a comma after a conjunctive adverb to join two independent clauses. B creates an extra semicolon, C is illogical, and D suggests an unsupported cause-and-effect.
Walking along the shoreline at dawn, [blank] noticed the telltale tracks that indicated sea turtles had nested overnight. They marked the fragile areas with bright flags and recorded the location so that visitors would keep a safe distance throughout the day as the park opened to morning walkers and runners.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
the volunteers
the shoreline
the conservation program
the nesting sites
Explanation
The opening participial phrase must modify the grammatical subject, and 'the volunteers' are the ones who could be walking and noticing. The other choices name things that cannot perform the action, creating a dangling modifier.