10 original Boundaries questions, easiest first. Where sentences end, and which punctuation may join what. Answer them all, then submit once to see every answer explained.
The composer's last symphony, unperformed during his lifetime was finally premiered decades later by a major orchestra.
Which choice fixes the punctuation error?
D — lifetime, was. 'Unperformed during his lifetime' is a nonrestrictive phrase interrupting the sentence and needs a comma on both sides. The comma after 'symphony,' is already present, so a matching comma is needed after 'lifetime' before 'was.' Choice D supplies this.
Researchers have identified several contributing factors to soil erosion: deforestation, overgrazing, and intensive monoculture farming.
Which choice maintains the sentence's correct punctuation?
A — NO CHANGE. The sentence correctly uses a colon to introduce a list of factors following a complete independent clause. No change is needed; the other options would create a comma splice, an improper semicolon use, or an unnecessary sentence break before a list.
The film's story unfolds across three settings, a rural farmhouse, a bustling city apartment, and a remote mountain cabin.
Which choice fixes the punctuation error?
B — settings: a. A colon is used to introduce a list following an independent clause ('The film's story unfolds across three settings' is complete, followed by a list of the three settings). Choice B correctly uses a colon; a comma or semicolon would not properly introduce the list.
The professor assigned three books this semester Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, and Middlemarch.
Which choice fixes the punctuation error?
B — semester: Pride. A colon correctly introduces the list of three books following the complete independent clause 'The professor assigned three books this semester.' A comma or semicolon would not properly perform this function.
The district's oldest elementary school closed for asbestos remediation last fall, it will reopen sometime before the spring semester.
Which choice fixes the sentence boundary error?
A — fall. It. The original is a comma splice joining two independent clauses with only a comma. Choice A correctly separates them into two sentences with a period; choice B adds an unnecessary comma after 'and.'
The windmill, which was restored in 2011 remains a popular stop along the regional heritage trail.
Which choice fixes the punctuation error?
C — 2011, remains. 'Which was restored in 2011' is a nonrestrictive clause set off by a comma after 'windmill,' and requires a matching comma before 'remains' to properly close the interruption. Choice C supplies this.
Researchers have identified several contributing causes of urban heat islands: dark pavement, reduced tree cover, and dense building construction.
Which choice maintains the sentence's correct punctuation?
D — NO CHANGE. The sentence correctly uses a colon to introduce a list of causes following a complete independent clause. No change is needed; the other options would create a comma splice, an improper semicolon use, or an unnecessary sentence break before a list.
The chapel, which was consecrated in 1602 remains one of the oldest continuously used buildings in the region.
Which choice fixes the punctuation error?
A — 1602, remains. 'Which was consecrated in 1602' is a nonrestrictive clause set off by a comma after 'chapel,' and requires a matching comma before 'remains' to properly close the interruption. Choice A supplies this.
Three materials define the sculpture, salvaged steel, reclaimed wood, and hand-blown glass.
Which choice fixes the punctuation error?
D — sculpture: salvaged. A colon is used to introduce a list following an independent clause, which is what's needed here ('Three materials define the sculpture' is complete, followed by a list of the three materials). Choice D correctly uses a colon; a comma or semicolon would not properly introduce the list.
Wangari Maathai who founded the Green Belt Movement and won the Nobel Peace Prize remains an influential figure in environmental activism.
Which choice fixes the punctuation error?
D — Maathai, who founded the Green Belt Movement and won the Nobel Peace Prize,. 'Who founded the Green Belt Movement and won the Nobel Peace Prize' is a nonrestrictive clause that must be set off by commas on both sides. Choice D correctly adds commas both before 'who' and after 'Prize.'
Score:
Every question above is now marked up: the correct answer is highlighted, any wrong option you picked is flagged, and each explanation is open.
No. Every question here is original, written to the College Board's published Digital SAT Reading & Writing specification for the Boundaries skill. No retired or copyrighted College Board material appears anywhere on this site.
Boundaries tests sentence boundaries and the punctuation that marks them: periods, semicolons, colons, commas, and dashes, including comma splices, run-ons and the punctuation around supplementary elements. Every question is answerable from the sentence in front of you, without knowing anything about the subject matter.
Ignore how the sentence sounds and test the structure instead. Decide whether the material on each side of the punctuation is an independent clause — a subject and a verb that could stand alone. Two independent clauses need a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction; a colon needs an independent clause on its left; a supplementary phrase needs the same mark on both sides, and never a comma on one side and a dash on the other.
No, and deliberately so. This drill is 10 Boundaries questions back to back; a real Reading & Writing module is 27 questions in 32 minutes drawn from all eleven skills. Use a drill to fix one weakness, then take a full module to practice the real thing.
No. The SAT has no penalty for a wrong answer — a blank and a wrong guess both score zero — so answer every question, including the ones you have to guess.