Question ID f0864217 3.

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure,

Conventions and Sense

ID: f0864217
Rabinal Achí is a precolonial Maya dance drama performed annually in Rabinal, a town in the Guatemalan
highlands. Based on events that occurred when Rabinal was a city-state ruled by a king, ______ had once been an
ally of the king but was later captured while leading an invading force against him.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. Rabinal Achí tells the story of K’iche’ Achí, a military leader who
B. K’iche’ Achí, the military leader in the story of Rabinal Achí,
C. the military leader whose story is told in Rabinal Achí, K’iche’ Achí,
D. there was a military leader, K’iche’ Achí, who in Rabinal Achí

ID: f0864217 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is the best answer. The modifier “Based on events…by a king,” is describing the drama “Rabinal Achí.”
Modifiers need to be next to the subjects they describe, so “Rabinal Achí” needs to be the first word after the
comma.

Choice B is incorrect. This doesn’t complete the text in a way that conforms to the conventions of Standard
English. The modifier “Based on events…by a king,” is describing the drama “Rabinal Achí.” Modifiers need to
be next to the subjects they describe, so “Rabinal Achí” needs to be the first word after the comma. Choice C is
incorrect. This doesn’t complete the text in a way that conforms to the conventions of Standard English. The
modifier “Based on events…by a king,” is describing the drama “Rabinal Achí.” Modifiers need to be next to the
subjects they describe, so “Rabinal Achí” needs to be the first word after the comma. Choice D is incorrect. This
doesn’t complete the text in a way that conforms to the conventions of Standard English. The modifier “Based
on events…by a king,” is describing the drama “Rabinal Achí.” Modifiers need to be next to the subjects they
describe, so “Rabinal Achí” needs to be the first word after the comma.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ea0aa676 3.2

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure,

Conventions and Sense

ID: ea0aa676
In the 1970s, Janaki Ammal, a prominent botanist, emerged as a powerful voice in India’s environmental
conservation movement. Her exhaustive chromosomal survey of plants in Silent Valley, a pristine tropical forest in
Kerala, India, that is home to nearly 1,000 species of native flora (many of which are endangered), ______
instrumental in the government’s decision to preserve the forest.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. are
B. were
C. have been
D. was

ID: ea0aa676 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. The subject "survey" is singular, and so is the verb "was."

Choice A is incorrect. The subject "survey" is singular, but the verb "are" is plural. Choice B is incorrect. The
subject "survey" is singular, but the verb "were" is plural. Choice C is incorrect. The subject "survey" is singular,
but the verb "have been" is plural.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID dc645172 3.3

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure,

Conventions and Sense

ID: dc645172
The artistic talents of Barbara Chase-Riboud, most known for her 1979 historical novel Sally Hemings and the
conversation it inspired, ______ limited to the realm of prose: she first excelled in sculpture, where her affinity for
bronze—a material she described as “timeless” due to its use across eras and cultures—became part of her
artistic identity.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. hasn’t been
B. wasn’t
C. isn’t
D. aren’t

ID: dc645172 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. The subject "talents" is plural, and so is the verb "aren’t": "the artistic talents…
aren’t limited."

Choice A is incorrect. The subject "talents" is plural, but the verb "hasn’t been" is singular. Choice B is
incorrect. The subject "talents" is plural, but the verb "wasn’t" is singular. Choice C is incorrect. The subject
"talents" is plural, but the verb "isn’t" is singular.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 3bceeb93 3.4

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure,

Conventions and Sense

ID: 3bceeb93
When they were first discovered in Australia in 1798, duck-billed, beaver-tailed platypuses so defied
categorization that one scientist assigned them the name Ornithorhynchus paradoxus: “paradoxical bird-snout.”
The animal, which lays eggs but also nurses ______ young with milk, has since been classified as belonging to the
monotremes group.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. they’re
B. their
C. its
D. it’s

ID: 3bceeb93 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is the best answer. The singular possessive pronoun "its" agrees with the singular antecedent "the
animal" and indicates that the "young" belong to it.

Choice A is incorrect. This choice creates a pronoun-antecedent agreement error. "They’re" is a contraction of
"they are," a plural pronoun and verb, but the antecedent "the animal" is singular. Also, we don’t need the extra
verb "are" — we already have a main verb in this clause, so adding "are" would be confusing and
ungrammatical. Choice B is incorrect. This choice creates a pronoun-antecedent agreement error. "Their" is a
plural pronoun, but the subject of the sentence is "the animal," a singular noun. Choice D is incorrect. This
choice creates a confusing and ungrammatical sentence. "It’s" is a contraction for "it is." We already have the
verb "nurses" in this clause, so we shouldn’t add the verb "is."

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID dab8b8ee 3.5

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure,

Conventions and Sense

ID: dab8b8ee
Known as Earth’s “living skin,” biocrusts are thin layers of soil held together by surface-dwelling microorganisms
such as fungi, lichens, and cyanobacteria. Fortifying soil in arid ecosystems against erosion, ______
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. a recent study’s estimate is that these crusts reduce global dust emissions by 60 percent each year.
B. an estimated 60 percent reduction in global dust emissions each year is due to these crusts, according to a
recent study.
C. these crusts reduce global dust emissions by an estimated 60 percent each year, according to a recent study.
D. a recent study has estimated that these crusts reduce global dust emissions by 60 percent each year.

ID: dab8b8ee Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is the best answer. The subject of the modifier "fortifying soil in arid ecosystems against erosion" is
"biocrusts." Subject-modifier placement requires a modifier and its subject to be next to each other, so
"biocrusts" or some variant meaning "biocrusts" (in this case, "these crusts") must begin the missing clause.

Choice A is incorrect. Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each other. The subject of the modifier
"fortifying soil in arid ecosystems against erosion" is "biocrusts," not "a recent study’s estimate." Choice B is
incorrect. Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each other. The subject of the modifier "fortifying soil in
arid ecosystems against erosion" is "biocrusts," not "an estimated 60 percent reduction." Choice D is incorrect.
Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each other. The subject of the modifier "fortifying soil in arid
ecosystems against erosion" is "biocrusts," not "a recent study."

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 0fe5ce68 3.6

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure,

Conventions and Sense

ID: 0fe5ce68
Ten of William Shakespeare’s plays are classified as histories. Although each one of these plays, which include
Henry V and Richard III, ______ on a single historical figure (specifically, an English king), some, such as Henry VI
Part One and Henry VI Part Two, feature different episodes from the same monarch’s life.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. focuses
B. focus
C. are focused
D. were focused

ID: 0fe5ce68 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-verb agreement. The singular verb
"focuses" agrees in number with the singular subject "each one of these plays," which refers to each play
individually.

Choice B is incorrect because the plural verb "focus" doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject "each
one of these plays." Choice C is incorrect because the plural verb "are focused" doesn’t agree in number with
the singular subject "each one of these plays." Choice D is incorrect because the plural verb "were focused"
doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject "each one of these plays."

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 5b8f9cf2 3.7

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure,

Conventions and Sense

ID: 5b8f9cf2
In the canon of North African literature, Moroccan author Driss Chraïbi’s 1954 novel The Simple Past (Le Passé
simple) looms large. A coming-of-age story, a social meditation, and a sober gaze into the dark maw of French
colonialism, ______ interrogates systemic power with memorable intensity.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. Morocco gained its independence two years before the publication of Chraïbi’s debut novel, which
B. Chraïbi’s debut novel, published two years before Morocco gained its independence,
C. Chraïbi wrote a debut novel that, published two years before Morocco gained its independence,
D. published two years before Morocco gained its independence, Chraïbi wrote a debut novel that

ID: 5b8f9cf2 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is the best answer. Subject-modifier placement requires a modifier and its subject to be next to each
other. The subject of the modifier "a coming-of-age story…colonialism" is Chraïbi’s novel The Simple Past, so
the subject "Chraïbi’s debut novel" fits perfectly after this introductory modifying phrase.

Choice A is incorrect. Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each other. The introductory modifier "a
coming-of-age story…colonialism" is describing Chraïbi’s novel, not Morocco. However, this choice places
Morocco directly next to that modifier. Choice C is incorrect. Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each
other. The introductory modifier "a coming-of-age story…colonialism" all describes Chraïbi’s novel, not Chraïbi
himself. However, this choice places Chraïbi directly next to that modifier. Choice D is incorrect. Modifiers and
their subjects must go next to each other. The modifier "a coming-of-age story…" is describing Chraïbi’s novel,
so that needs to be the subject immediately after the modifier. This choice adds another modifier that
describes Chraïbi’s novel, but then puts "Chraïbi" himself—not the novel—right after that modifier, which
doesn’t make sense. Chraïbi wasn’t "published two years before" Moroccan independence; his novel The
Simple Past was.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID de3dd17d 3.8

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure,

Conventions and Sense

ID: de3dd17d
Planetary scientist Briony Horgan and her colleagues have determined that as much as 25 percent of the sand on
Mars is composed of impact spherules. These spherical bits of glass form when asteroids collide with the planet,
ejecting bits of molten rock into the atmosphere that, after cooling and solidifying into glass, ______ back onto
Mars’s surface.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. to rain
B. raining
C. having rained
D. rain

ID: de3dd17d Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. "That…[rain] back onto Mars’s surface" is a relative clause that describes the "bits
of molten rock." Forming the clause requires a conjugated, finite verb, and this is the only choice that provides
that.

Choice A is incorrect. "To rain" is an infinitive and can’t serve as the main verb of a clause. A conjugated verb
is needed here to form the main verb of the relative clause "that…[rain] back onto Mars’s surface," which
describes the "bits of molten rock." Choice B is incorrect. "Raining" is a present participle and, on its own, can’t
serve as the main verb of a clause. A conjugated verb is needed here to form the main verb of the relative
clause "that…[rain] back onto Mars’s surface," which describes the "bits of molten rock." Choice C is incorrect.
"Having rained" is a perfect participle and can’t serve as the main verb of a clause. A conjugated verb is needed
here to form the main verb of the relative clause "that…[rain] back onto Mars’s surface," which describes the
"bits of molten rock."

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 61160f0a 3.9

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure,

Conventions and Sense

ID: 61160f0a
Author Madeline L’Engle, ______ to create a suspenseful tone that draws the reader in, begins her novel A Wrinkle
in Time with descriptions of “wraithlike shadows” and “the frenzied lashing of the wind.”
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. looked
B. looks
C. is looking
D. looking

ID: 61160f0a Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of verb forms within a sentence. The
nonfinite present participle verb “looking” is correctly used to form a subordinate clause that describes the
intent behind how L’Engle begins her novel.

Choice A is incorrect because the finite past tense verb “looked” can’t be used in this way to form a subordinate
clause. Choice B is incorrect because the finite present tense verb “looks” can’t be used in this way to form a
subordinate clause. Choice C is incorrect because the finite present progressive tense verb “is looking” can’t be
used in this way to form a subordinate clause.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID d46ac7e7 3.10

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure,

Conventions and Sense

ID: d46ac7e7
A second-generation Japanese American, Wataru Misaka ______ in World War II (1941-45) and won two amateur
national basketball championships at the University of Utah when he joined the New York Knicks for the 1947-48
season, becoming the first non-white basketball player in the US’s top professional league.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. already served
B. was already serving
C. already serves
D. had already served

ID: d46ac7e7 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. Misaka served in World War II before he joined the New York Knicks in 1947. To
show that a past occurrence took place before another past occurrence, we need to use “had” + the past tense
form of the verb. This is called the past perfect tense.

Choice A is incorrect. Misaka served in World War II before he joined the Knicks. Both events are in the past,
but his service in World War II happened earlier, so we need a verb that makes it clear that his service (and the
two national championships) had ended by the time he joined the Knicks. Choice B is incorrect. “Was already
serving” forms the continuous past tense, which we use when we’re showing a past action that was ongoing.
Misaka served in World War II before he joined the Knicks. Both events are in the past, but they’re not
happening at the same time, so we shouldn’t use the continuous past tense here. Choice C is incorrect. Misaka
served in World War II in the past, so we shouldn’t use the present tense “serves.”

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 50801257 3.11

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure,

Conventions and Sense

ID: 50801257
In 1994, almost 200 years after the death of Wang Zhenyi, the International Astronomical ______ the contributions
of the barrier-breaking 18th-century astronomer and author of “Dispute of the Procession of the Equinoxes,”
naming a crater on Venus after her.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. Union would finally acknowledge
B. Union to finally acknowledge
C. Union, having finally acknowledged
D. Union, finally acknowledging

ID: 50801257 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is the best answer. It’s the only choice that offers a form of the verb “acknowledge” that can go with
the subject “International Astronomical Union” to make a complete sentence. This might seem like an odd use
of “would,” but when speaking from a point of view in the past, we can actually use “would” to express
something that happened later. That’s the case here: 200 years after Wang Zhenyi’s death, the IAU would finally
acknowledge her contributions.

Choice B is incorrect. This choice creates a sentence fragment. There’s no main verb elsewhere in the
sentence, so we need a form of the verb “acknowledge” that can go with the subject “the International
Astronomical Union” and serve as that main verb. “To acknowledge” can’t do that. Choice C is incorrect. This
choice creates a sentence fragment. There’s no main verb elsewhere in the sentence, so we need a form of the
verb “acknowledge” that can go with the subject “the International Astronomical Union” and serve as that
main verb. “Having acknowledged” can’t do that. Choice D is incorrect. This choice creates a sentence
fragment. There’s no main verb elsewhere in the sentence, so we need a form of the verb “acknowledge” that
can go with the subject “the International Astronomical Union” and serve as that main verb. The “-ing” form
can’t do that.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a14eef71 3.12

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure,

Conventions and Sense

ID: a14eef71
In 2015, a team led by materials scientists Anirudha Sumant and Diana Berman succeeded in reducing the
coefficient of friction (COF) between two surfaces to the lowest possible level—superlubricity. A nearly
frictionless (and, as its name suggests, extremely slippery) state, ______
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. when their COF drops below 0.01, two surfaces reach superlubricity.
B. two surfaces, when their COF drops below 0.01, reach superlubricity.
C. reaching superlubricity occurs when two surfaces’ COF drops below 0.01.
D. superlubricity is reached when two surfaces’ COF drops below 0.01.

ID: a14eef71 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. The subject of the modifier “a nearly frictionless state” is “superlubricity.” Subject-
modifier placement requires a modifier and its subject to be next to one another, so “superlubricity” must be
the first word in the missing clause.

Choice A is incorrect. This choice creates a subject-modifier placement error. The subject of the modifier “a
nearly frictionless state” is “superlubricity.” Subject-modifier placement requires a modifier and its subject to
be next to one another, so “superlubricity” must be the first word in the missing clause. Choice B is incorrect.
This choice creates a subject-modifier placement error. The subject of the modifier “a nearly frictionless state”
is “superlubricity.” Subject-modifier placement requires a modifier and its subject to be next to one another, so
“superlubricity” must be the first word in the missing clause. Choice C is incorrect. This choice creates a
subject-modifier placement error. The subject of the modifier “a nearly frictionless state” is “superlubricity.”
Subject-modifier placement requires a modifier and its subject to be next to one another, so “superlubricity”
must be the first word in the missing clause.

Question Difficulty: Hard