Key Strategies for Sentence End Punctuation in SAT Grammar with Practice Questions

SAT keys colored as the USA American flag on a gray keyboard

What are Supplements?

Supplements are words, phrases, and relative clauses that add extra information to a sentence. There are two types of supplements: essential and not essential.

For example:

  • Essential: In a basketball game, the team that scores the most points will win.
  • Not essential: The basketball team, which won the state championship last year, got on the bus

Supplement Punctuation

No punctuation

  • If the sentence no longer makes sense, then the supplement is essential. No punctuation should be used.

Use punctuation

  • If the sentence still makes sense, then the supplement is not essential. The supplement must be separated from the rest of the sentence by punctuation.
    • Commas (,)
    • Parentheses ()
    • Dashes (—)
    • the same type of punctuation must appear before and after a nonessential element.

Single or Double Punctuation

Single punctuation

  • If the supplement begins or ends the sentence, it only requires a comma
    • A striker with 62 goals in international play, Megan Rapinoe is known for her activism in addition to her soccer stardom.

Double punctuation

  • If the supplement comes in the middle of the sentence, it requires punctuation on both sides.
    • Megan Rapinoe, a striker with 62 goals in international play, is known for her activism in addition to her soccer stardom.

In the SAT test

  • the choices add or remove commas, but not conjunctions
  • the choices include multiple types of punctuation, like commas and dashes

Practice Questions

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Choose 1 answer:

  1. The CEO— _ who was known for her innovative strategies—resigned unexpectedly.
  •    – A. NO CHANGE
  •    – B. CEO who
  •    – C. CEO, who
  •    – D. CEO; who
  1. The new policy— _ aimed at reducing waste—has been implemented across all departments.
  •    – A. NO CHANGE
  •    – B. policy aimed
  •    – C. policy; aimed
  •    – D. policy: aimed
  1. Her novel, _ which was published last year, won several literary awards.
  •    – A. NO CHANGE
  •    – B. novel which
  •    – C. novel; which
  •    – D. novel: which
  1. The ancient ruins— _ which date back to the 12th century—are a major tourist attraction.
  •    – A. NO CHANGE
  •    – B. ruins which
  •    – C. ruins; which
  •    – D. ruins, which
  1. The seminar— _ focusing on climate change—was attended by experts from around the world.
  •    – A. NO CHANGE
  •    – B. seminar focusing
  •    – C. seminar; focusing
  •    – D. seminar: focusing
  1. The committee’s decision, _ which was unanimous, surprised everyone.
  •    – A. NO CHANGE
  •    – B. decision which
  •    – C. decision; which
  •    – D. decision: which
  1. The software update— _ intended to fix bugs—caused new issues for users.
  •    – A. NO CHANGE
  •    – B. update intended
  •    – C. update; intended
  •    – D. update: intended
  1. The painting— _ which was recently restored—has regained its original colors.
  •    – A. NO CHANGE
  •    – B. painting which
  •    – C. painting; which
  •    – D. painting: which
  1. The conference— _ held annually—attracts professionals from various industries.
  •    – A. NO CHANGE
  •    – B. conference held
  •    – C. conference; held
  •    – D. conference: held
  1. The author— _ known for her thrilling novels—released a new book last month.
  •     – A. NO CHANGE
  •     – B. author known
  •     – C. author; known
  •     – D. author: known

1   A. NO CHANGE

   – Explanation: The em dashes correctly set off the non-essential clause “who was known for her innovative strategies.”

 2 A. NO CHANGE

   – Explanation: The em dashes correctly set off the non-essential clause “aimed at reducing waste.”

3 A. NO CHANGE

   – Explanation: The commas correctly set off the non-essential clause “which was published last year.”

4 A. NO CHANGE

   – Explanation: The em dashes correctly set off the non-essential clause “which date back to the 12th century.”

5  A. NO CHANGE

   – Explanation: The em dashes correctly set off the non-essential clause “focusing on climate change.”

6  A. NO CHANGE

   – Explanation: The commas correctly set off the non-essential clause “which was unanimous.”

7 A. NO CHANGE

   – Explanation: The em dashes correctly set off the non-essential clause “intended to fix bugs.”

8 A. NO CHANGE

   – Explanation: The em dashes correctly set off the non-essential clause “which was recently restored.”

9  A. NO CHANGE

   – Explanation: The em dashes correctly set off the non-essential clause “held annually.”

10   A. NO CHANGE

    – Explanation: The em dashes correctly set off the non-essential clause “known for her thrilling novels.”

Official Question Examples (set 2)

from Khan Academy

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Choose 1 answer:

  1. Hippos can charge at almost 20 miles per hour and (as if that were not intimidating enough) they sweat red liquid.
  • A NO CHANGE
  • B and—as if that were not intimidating enough,
  • C and, as if that were not intimidating enough
  • D and as if that were not intimidating enough
  1. The pyramids, that are located in present-day Sudan,_were constructed by rulers of the ancient Kushite Empire to serve as tombs for the most powerful citizens.
  • A NO CHANGE
  • B pyramids, that are located in present-day Sudan)
  • C pyramids that are located in present-day Sudan
  • D pyramids—that are located in present-day Sudan—
  1. Chef Dominique Ansel created the “cronut”, a cross between a croissant and a donut in New York in 2013.
  • A NO CHANGE
  • B donut,
  • C donut—
  • D donut;
  1. The cyanometer, which was once used to measure the blueness of the sky) is now obsolete.
  • A NO CHANGE
  • B cyanometer—which
  • C cyanometer (which
  • D cyanometer which
  1. Luci Tapahonso is the inaugural poet laureate of the Navajo Nation. Her book Sáanii Dahataal/The Women Are Singing—a combination of fiction and memoir, poetry and ______ serves as a testament to her versatility as a writer.
  • A prose—
  • B prose
  • C prose,
  • D prose;
  1. The sandhill ______ to North America, has the longest fossil history of any extant bird at ten million years.
  • A crane a large bird native
  • B crane—a large bird native
  • C crane, a large bird native,
  • D crane, a large bird native
  1. Saint Lucia—a sovereign island in the ______ the only country in the world named after a historical woman.
  • A Caribbean, is
  • B Caribbean—is
  • C Caribbean is
  • D Caribbean; is
  1. Located in Richmond, California the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front is a national historical park dedicated to telling the stories of US civilians’ efforts to aid the war.
  • A NO CHANGE
  • B Located, in Richmond, California
  • C Located in Richmond, California,
  • D Located in Richmond, California;
  1. The person (taking passport photos) will ask you to remove your glasses and maintain a neutral expression.
  • A NO CHANGE
  • B person, taking passport photos,
  • C person taking (passport photos)
  • D person taking passport photos
  1. The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919, which moved faster than one would expect,_ killed 21 people and injured 150.
  • A NO CHANGE
  • B 1919, which moved faster than one would expect—
  • C 1919 which moved faster than one would expect
  • D 1919 which moved faster than one would expect,
  1. As far as farewell concert tours go, Elton John’s became the highest grossing,_ of all time in 2023.
  • A NO CHANGE
  • B concert tours go, Elton John’s became the highest grossing
  • C concert tours go—Elton John’s—became the highest grossing
  • D concert tours go, Elton John’s, became the highest grossing

Official Question Solutions

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Choose 1 answer:

  1. Hippos can charge at almost 20 miles per hour and (as if that were not intimidating enough) they sweat red liquid.
  • A NO CHANGE
  • B and—as if that were not intimidating enough,
  • C and, as if that were not intimidating enough
  • D and as if that were not intimidating enough
  1. The pyramids, that are located in present-day Sudan,_were constructed by rulers of the ancient Kushite Empire to serve as tombs for the most powerful citizens.
  • A NO CHANGE
  • B pyramids, that are located in present-day Sudan)
  • C pyramids that are located in present-day Sudan
  • D pyramids—that are located in present-day Sudan—
  1. Chef Dominique Ansel created the “cronut”, a cross between a croissant and a donut in New York in 2013.
  • A NO CHANGE
  • B donut,
  • C donut—
  • D donut;
  1. The cyanometer, which was once used to measure the blueness of the sky) is now obsolete.
  • A NO CHANGE
  • B cyanometer—which
  • C cyanometer (which
  • D cyanometer which
  1. Luci Tapahonso is the inaugural poet laureate of the Navajo Nation. Her book Sáanii Dahataal/The Women Are Singing—a combination of fiction and memoir, poetry and ______ serves as a testament to her versatility as a writer.
  • A prose—
  • B prose
  • C prose,
  • D prose;
  1. The sandhill ______ to North America, has the longest fossil history of any extant bird at ten million years.
  • A crane a large bird native
  • B crane—a large bird native
  • C crane, a large bird native,
  • D crane, a large bird native
  1. Saint Lucia—a sovereign island in the ______ the only country in the world named after a historical woman.
  • A Caribbean, is
  • B Caribbean—is
  • C Caribbean is
  • D Caribbean; is
  1. Located in Richmond, California the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front is a national historical park dedicated to telling the stories of US civilians’ efforts to aid the war.
  • A NO CHANGE
  • B Located, in Richmond, California
  • C Located in Richmond, California,
  • D Located in Richmond, California;
  1. The person (taking passport photos) will ask you to remove your glasses and maintain a neutral expression.
  • A NO CHANGE
  • B person, taking passport photos,
  • C person taking (passport photos)
  • D person taking passport photos
  1. The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919, which moved faster than one would expect,_ killed 21 people and injured 150.
  • A NO CHANGE
  • B 1919, which moved faster than one would expect—
  • C 1919 which moved faster than one would expect
  • D 1919 which moved faster than one would expect,
  1. As far as farewell concert tours go, Elton John’s became the highest grossing,_ of all time in 2023.
  • A NO CHANGE
  • B concert tours go, Elton John’s became the highest grossing
  • C concert tours go—Elton John’s—became the highest grossing
  • D concert tours go, Elton John’s, became the highest grossing

Practice questions

Introduction Questions - Set 1

  1. The artist’s new sculpture, a representation of unity and strength, _ is displayed in the central plaza.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) unity, and strength

    – C) unity and strength

    – D) unity—and strength

  1. The conference room, _ which was booked weeks in advance, will host the annual meeting.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) which was, booked

    – C) which, was booked

    – D) which was booked,

  1. The chef’s special dish—prepared with fresh herbs and spices— _ was a hit at the dinner party.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) spices—was

    – C) spices was

    – D) spices, was

  1. My neighbor, _ a retired teacher, volunteers at the local library every week.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) teacher volunteers

    – C) teacher—volunteers

    – D) teacher volunteers,

  1. The movie director—a well-known figure in the industry— _ is set to release his latest film next month.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) industry is

    – C) industry, is

    – D) industry—is

  1. The museum, _ which was renovated last year, now features a modern art exhibit.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) which, was renovated

    – C) which was, renovated

    – D) which was renovated,

  1. The students, _ who had studied hard for the exam, were confident of their success.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) who had studied, hard

    – C) who had studied hard,

    – D) who, had studied hard

  1. The park—a popular spot for families— _ offers a variety of outdoor activities.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) families offers

    – C) families, offers

    – D) families—offers

  1. The car, _ which was recently purchased, is running smoothly.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) which, was recently purchased

    – C) which was, recently purchased

    – D) which was recently, purchased

  1. The new law—designed to protect consumers— _ will go into effect next month.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) consumers—will

    – C) consumers, will

    – D) consumers will

Practice Questions - Set 3

 

  1. The scientist, _ known for her groundbreaking research, has received multiple awards.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) known, for her groundbreaking research,

    – C) known for her groundbreaking research

    – D) known for her, groundbreaking research

 

  1. The athlete—renowned for her speed and agility— _ is a favorite to win the race.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) agility is

    – C) agility, is

    – D) agility—will be

 

  1. The building, _ which was constructed in the 19th century, is now a museum.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) which, was constructed

    – C) which was, constructed

    – D) which was constructed,

 

  1. The teacher—a passionate educator— _ inspires students every day.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) educator, inspires

    – C) educator—will inspire

    – D) educator, inspires

 

  1. The car, _ which had been in storage for years, started up without any issues.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) which had been, in storage

    – C) which, had been in storage

    – D) which had been in, storage

 

  1. The artist—who often experiments with different mediums— _ unveiled her latest work at the gallery.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) mediums unveiled

    – C) mediums, unveiled

    – D) mediums—unveiled

 

  1. The book, _ a classic in its genre, continues to inspire new writers.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) genre continues

    – C) genre, continues

    – D) genre—continues

 

  1. The athlete, _ who had trained for months, won the gold medal.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) who, had trained for months,

    – C) who had trained, for months

    – D) who had trained for months,

 

  1. The conference, _ which was attended by experts from around the world, was a huge success.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) which, was attended

    – C) which was attended,

    – D) which was attended

 

  1. The film director—known for his innovative techniques— _ is working on a new project.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) techniques is

    – C) techniques—will be

    – D) techniques, is

Practice Questions - Set 4

  1. The engineer, _ who designed the new bridge, has been praised for his innovative approach.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) who, designed the new bridge,

    – C) who designed, the new bridge

    – D) who designed the new bridge

 

  1. The museum—home to many rare artifacts— _ is undergoing renovations this year.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) artifacts—is

    – C) artifacts is

    – D) artifacts, is

 

  1. The novel, _ which was published posthumously, became a bestseller.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) which, was published posthumously,

    – C) which was published, posthumously

    – D) which was published posthumously

 

  1. The musician—a pioneer in electronic music— _ will perform at the festival next month.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) music, will perform

    – C) music—performs

    – D) music will perform

 

  1. The software, _ which was updated recently, has improved functionality.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) which, was updated

    – C) which was updated,

    – D) which was updated

 

  1. The chef—known for her culinary creativity— _ has opened a new restaurant downtown.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) creativity has

    – C) creativity, has

    – D) creativity—is

 

  1. The manuscript, _ which was thought to be lost, was discovered in an old library.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) which, was thought to be lost

    – C) which was thought, to be lost

    – D) which was thought to be, lost

 

  1. The professor—a leading expert in quantum physics— _ has published several influential papers.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) physics has

    – C) physics, has

    – D) physics—published

 

  1. The building, _ which was damaged in the earthquake, is being restored to its former glory.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) which was damaged,

    – C) which, was damaged

    – D) which was, damaged

 

  1. The poet—famous for her evocative imagery— _ has released a new collection of poems.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) imagery has

    – C) imagery, has

    – D) imagery—will release

Practice Questions - Set 5

  1. The author—who spent years researching the topic— _ has finally completed the manuscript.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) topic—has

    – C) topic, has

    – D) topic—completed

 

  1. The committee, _ which was formed to address the issue, has proposed several solutions.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) which was, formed to address the issue,

    – C) which, was formed to address the issue

    – D) which was formed to address, the issue

 

  1. The artist—a renowned painter— _ has been invited to exhibit her work in Paris.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) painter—has

    – C) painter, has

    – D) painter has

 

  1. The garden, _ which was designed by a famous landscape architect, is open to the public.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) which was, designed by a famous landscape architect

    – C) which, was designed by a famous landscape architect,

    – D) which was designed, by a famous landscape architect

 

  1. The dancer—known for her graceful movements— _ will be performing at the gala.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) movements—will be

    – C) movements will be

    – D) movements, will be

 

  1. The project, _ which is funded by a government grant, aims to improve public transportation.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) which, is funded

    – C) which was, funded

    – D) which is funded,

 

  1. The painting—a masterpiece of the Renaissance— _ is displayed in the museum’s main hall.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) Renaissance, is

    – C) Renaissance is

    – D) Renaissance—is

 

  1. The play, _ which was written by a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, is being adapted into a film.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) which was, written by a Pulitzer Prize-winning author,

    – C) which was written, by a Pulitzer Prize-winning author

    – D) which was written by a Pulitzer Prize-winning, author

 

  1. The scientist—renowned for her work in genetics— _ has made significant discoveries in the field.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) genetics has

    – C) genetics—will make

    – D) genetics, has

 

  1. The village, _ which was once a thriving fishing community, is now a popular tourist destination.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) which, was once

    – C) which was, once

    – D) which was once,

Practice Questions - Set 6

  1. The architect—whose designs have won numerous awards— _ is working on a new project.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) awards—is

    – C) awards, is

    – D) awards—works

 

  1. The journal, _ which has been published continuously for over a century, is respected in the academic community.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) which was, published continuously for over a century,

    – C) which has, been published continuously for over a century

    – D) which has been published, continuously for over a century

 

  1. The composer—famous for his symphonies— _ has been commissioned to write a new piece.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) symphonies has

    – C) symphonies—will write

    – D) symphonies, has

 

  1. The river, _ which flows through the heart of the city, is a vital source of water for the residents.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) which was, flowing through the heart of the city,

    – C) which flows, through the heart of the city

    – D) which flows through the heart, of the city

 

  1. The historian—an expert in ancient civilizations— _ has been invited to lecture at the university.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) civilizations has

    – C) civilizations, has

    – D) civilizations—lectures

 

  1. The mountain, _ which is covered in snow year-round, is a popular destination for skiers.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) which, is covered in snow year-round

    – C) which is covered, in snow year-round

    – D) which is covered in snow, year-round

 

  1. The poet—whose work often explores themes of nature— _ has been praised for her unique voice.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) nature has

    – C) nature, has

    – D) nature—praised

 

  1. The manuscript, _ which was recently discovered in an old library, is being translated into English.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) which, was recently discovered

    – C) which was recently, discovered

    – D) which was recently discovered,

 

  1. The musician—renowned for his improvisational skills— _ has released a new album.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) skills, has

    – C) skills has

    – D) skills—will release

 

  1. The island, _ which was once uninhabited, is now a thriving tourist destination.

    – A) NO CHANGE

    – B) which, was once uninhabited

    – C) which was, once uninhabited

    – D) which was once, uninhabited

Solutions

Introduction Set:

  1. A
  2. A
  3. A
  4. A
  5. D
  6. A
  7. A
  8. A
  9. A
  10. A

 

Set 2 (SAT Level):

  1. C
  2. D
  3. B
  4. B
  5. A
  6. B
  7. B
  8. C
  9. D
  10. B

 

Set 3:

  1. C
  2. A
  3. D
  4. A
  5. A
  6. D
  7. C
  8. D
  9. D
  10. A

 

Set 4:

  1. D
  2. B
  3. D
  4. A
  5. A
  6. C
  7. D
  8. A
  9. A
  10. A

 

Set 5:

  1. D
  2. D
  3. A
  4. A
  5. B
  6. A
  7. A
  8. A
  9. D
  10. D

 

Set 6:

  1. A
  2. A
  3. A
  4. D
  5. C
  6. D
  7. A
  8. D
  9. A
  10. D

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