9 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.
Although the survey produced encouraging preliminary numbers the analysts cautioned that a larger sample would be needed before drawing firm conclusions.
Which choice fixes the punctuation error?
A — numbers, the analysts. 'Although the survey produced encouraging preliminary numbers' is a dependent introductory clause that requires a comma before the main clause begins. Choice A correctly adds this comma.
The instructor outlined three goals for the workshop technique, timing, and creative expression.
Which choice fixes the punctuation error?
C — workshop: technique,. A colon correctly introduces the list of three goals following the complete independent clause 'The instructor outlined three goals for the workshop.' A comma or semicolon would not properly perform this function.
Three landmarks define the skyline, the clock tower, the cathedral spire, and the glass observation deck.
Which choice fixes the punctuation error?
A — skyline: the. A colon is used to introduce a list following an independent clause, which is what's needed here ('Three landmarks define the skyline' is complete, followed by a list of the three landmarks). Choice A correctly uses a colon; a comma or semicolon would not properly introduce the list.
The coach outlined three priorities for the season defense, conditioning, and team communication.
Which choice fixes the punctuation error?
A — season: defense,. A colon correctly introduces the list of three priorities following the complete independent clause 'The coach outlined three priorities for the season.' A comma or semicolon would not properly perform this function.
Students spent the afternoon sorting donations organizing the supply closet, and labeling storage bins.
Which choice fixes the punctuation error?
C — donations, organizing. This sentence contains a list of three parallel gerund phrases ('sorting donations,' 'organizing the supply closet,' 'labeling storage bins') that must be separated by commas throughout. Choice C adds the missing comma after 'donations' to match the comma already present after 'closet.'
The town's oldest firehouse closed for structural repairs last winter, it will reopen sometime before the summer parade.
Which choice fixes the sentence boundary error?
A — winter. 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 D adds an unnecessary comma after 'and.'
Marie Curie who won Nobel Prizes in both physics and chemistry remains the only person to achieve that distinction in two different scientific fields.
Which choice fixes the punctuation error?
D — Curie, who won Nobel Prizes in both physics and chemistry,. 'Who won Nobel Prizes in both physics and chemistry' is a nonrestrictive clause that must be set off by commas on both sides. Choice D correctly adds commas both before 'who' and after 'chemistry.'
Despite months of careful budgeting the nonprofit's spring fundraiser fell short of its goal after a scheduling conflict reduced attendance.
Which choice fixes the punctuation error?
D — budgeting, the nonprofit's. 'Despite months of careful budgeting' is an introductory phrase that requires a comma before the main clause. Choice D correctly adds this comma; a semicolon or colon would be used to join independent clauses or introduce a list/explanation, neither of which applies here.
Despite years of careful planning the expedition was delayed by a sudden storm that closed the only access road for nearly a week.
Which choice fixes the punctuation error?
C — planning, the expedition. 'Despite years of careful planning' is an introductory phrase that requires a comma before the main clause. Choice C correctly adds this comma; a semicolon or colon would be used to join independent clauses or introduce a list/explanation, neither of which applies here.
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 9 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.