Semicolons often appear in the Sentence Improvement sections. There are two facts you need to know to deal with semicolons on the SAT.

First, the semicolon can only be used to separate what would otherwise be two complete sentences. For example, “She frequently vacations at parks; her favorite park is Yellowstone.”

Second, because choices with semicolons involve two sets of subjects and verbs, they are almost always long. This extra length means that choices with semicolons are rarely correct because the best answer is grammatically correct and concise.

Incorrect: He often reads mysteries; particularly enjoying the works of Chandler.
        [Complete sentence: “He read”]; [Sentence fragment: no subject]

Correct: He often reads mysteries; he particularly enjoys the works of Chandler.
      [Complete sentence: “He read”]; [Complete sentence: “he enjoys”]

SAMPLE PRACTICE QUESTION FOR ANSWER CHOICES WITH SEMICOLONS

        Many high schools are teaming up with non-profit organizations to provide free
        educational resources; these offer advantages to both students and institutions.

        (A) resources; they offer advantages to both students and institutions
        (B) resources, which offer advantages to both students and institutions
        (C) resources; offering advantages to both students and institutions
        (D) resources; which offer advantages to both students and institutions
        (E) resources, which offers practical advantages to both students and institutions

Take a look at the answer choices that contain semicolons. Your first test is whether or not these choices separate what could be two complete sentences.

Choices (C) and (D) can be eliminated because their second halves are sentence fragments. Choice (A) can be eliminated because “they” is an unclear reference; it is not clear whether “schools”, “organizations”, or “resources” are being referred to. Choice (E) can then be eliminated because “resources” does not agree with “offers”.

Only choice (B) is grammatically correct.

SAT Writing: Answer Choices with Semicolons

Lesson Includes:

—Explanation of Answer Choices

—Sample Practice Questions

—Practice Questions

SAT Math

SAT Reading

SAT Writing

SAT Vocabulary

ANSWER WITH SEMICOLONS REVIEW QUIZ

 

This SAT Writing Quiz provided for you by: