betterMateusz/SAT_Writting_Reading_Assessment_Question_Bank huggingface dataset:
The following text is from Georgia Douglas Johnson’s 1922 poem “Benediction.”
Go forth, my son,
Winged by my heart’s desire!
Great reaches, yet unknown,
Await
For your possession.
I may not, if I would,
Retrace the way with you,
My pilgrimage is through,
But life is calling you!

Question: Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
A) To express hope that a child will have the same accomplishments as his parent did
B) To suggest that raising a child involves many struggles
C) To warn a child that he will face many challenges throughout his life
D) To encourage a child to embrace the experiences life will offer

Answer: D

Rationale: Choice D is the best answer because it accurately states the text’s main purpose. The poem begins with the speaker urging a
child to “go forth” with her encouragement (“my heart’s desire”). The speaker goes on to suggest that new experiences
(“Great reaches, yet unknown”) lie ahead for the son that “life is calling” him to seek out. Thus, the main purpose is to
encourage a child to embrace the experiences available to him in his life.
Choice A is incorrect because the speaker encourages the child to pursue new experiences (“Great reaches”) without
knowing exactly what those experiences will be (“yet unknown”) or suggesting that they should match the speaker’s own
accomplishments. Choice B is incorrect because the speaker focuses on positive possibilities for her son (“Great reaches,
yet unknown”) and her enthusiastic encouragement to embrace those possibilities (“life is calling you!”), while there is no
mention of raising a child or associated struggles. Choice C is incorrect because the speaker frames the possibilities for her
son in a positive light when she says that “great reaches, yet unknown” are waiting for him, and this positive outlook for the
son is consistent throughout the text.

Difficulty: Easy | Domain: Craft_and_Structure
Gathering accurate data on water ﬂow in the United States is challenging because of the country’s millions of miles of ______
the volume and speed of water at any given location can vary drastically over time.

Question: Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A) waterways and the fact that,
B) waterways, and the fact that,
C) waterways, and, the fact that
D) waterways and the fact that

Answer: D

Rationale: Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation within two coordinated noun phrases. When, as in
this case, a noun phrase (“the country’s millions of miles of waterways”) is coordinated with another noun phrase (“the fact”)
followed by an integrated relative clause (“that the volume...time”), no punctuation is needed.
Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed. Choice B is incorrect because no punctuation is needed. Choice C
is incorrect because no punctuation is needed.

Difficulty: Medium | Domain: Standard_English_Conventions
Stephen Hannock’s luminous landscape paintings are appealing to viewers but have elicited little commentary from
contemporary critics, a phenomenon that may be due to the very fact that the paintings seem so ______. Many critics focus
their attention on art that is cryptic or overtly challenging.

Question: Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
A) innovative
B) subversive
C) profound
D) accessible

Answer: D

Rationale: Choice D is the best answer. When talking about a thing, “accessible” means “easy to understand.” This sets up the contrast
in the next sentence, which tells us that critics mostly focus on art that is “cryptic or challenging” (meaning not easy to
understand).
Choice A is incorrect. This doesn’t ﬁt the logic of the text. The next sentence tells us that critics focus on art that is
mysterious and challenging. If Hannock’s paintings are “innovative” (meaning advanced and original), then critics probably
would comment on them. Choice B is incorrect. This doesn’t ﬁt the logic of the text. The next sentence tells us that critics
focus on art that is mysterious and challenging. If Hannock’s paintings are “subversive” (meaning disruptive and
revolutionary), then critics probably would comment on them. Choice C is incorrect. This doesn’t ﬁt the logic of the text. The
next sentence tells us that critics focus on art that is mysterious and challenging. If Hannock’s paintings are “profound”
(meaning very deep and insightful), then critics probably would comment on them.

Difficulty: Medium | Domain: Craft_and_Structure
Both Sona Charaipotra, an Indian American, and Dhonielle Clayton, an African American, grew up frustrated by the lack of
diverse characters in books for young people. In 2011, these two writers joined forces to found CAKE Literary, a book
packaging ______ specializes in the creation and promotion of stories told from diverse perspectives for children and young
adults.

Question: Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A) company,
B) company that
C) company
D) company, that

Answer: B

Rationale: Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use and punctuation of an integrated relative clause. This
choice correctly uses the relative pronoun “that” and no punctuation to create an integrated relative clause that provides
essential information about the noun phrase (“a book packaging company”) that it modiﬁes.
Choice A is incorrect because it doesn’t use a relative pronoun to link the verb phrase beginning with “specializes” to the
noun phrase that it modiﬁes (“a book packaging company”). Choice C is incorrect because it doesn’t use a relative pronoun
to link the verb phrase beginning with “specializes” to the noun phrase that it modiﬁes (“a book packaging company”).
Choice D is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the integrated relative clause beginning with “that
specializes” and the noun phrase that it modiﬁes (“a book packaging company”).

Difficulty: Easy | Domain: Standard_English_Conventions
The following text is adapted from Aphra Behn’s 1689 novel The Lucky Mistake. Atlante and Rinaldo are neighbors who have
been secretly exchanging letters through Charlot, Atlante’s sister.
[Atlante] gave this letter to Charlot; who immediately ran into the balcony with it, where she still found Rinaldo in a
melancholy posture, leaning his head on his hand: She showed him the letter, but was afraid to toss it to him, for fear it
might fall to the ground; so he ran and fetched a long cane, which he cleft at one end, and held it while she put the letter
into the cleft, and stayed not to hear what he said to it. But never was man so transported with joy, as he was at the
reading of this letter; it gives him new wounds; for to the generous, nothing obliges love so much as love.

Question: Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?
A) It describes the delivery of a letter, and then portrays a character’s happiness at reading that letter.
B) It establishes that a character is desperate to receive a letter, and then explains why another character has not yet written
that letter.
C) It presents a character’s concerns about delivering a letter, and then details the contents of that letter.
D) It reveals the inspiration behind a character’s letter, and then emphasizes the excitement that another character feels

Answer: A

Rationale: Choice A is the best answer because it most accurately describes the overall structure of the text. The narrator begins by
explaining how Charlot carefully delivers Atlante’s letter to Rinaldo, and then relates that Rinaldo feels “transported with joy”
after reading the letter. Therefore, the overall structure of the text is best described as a description of the delivery of a letter
followed by the portrayal of a character’s happiness after reading the letter.
Choice B is incorrect because the text indicates that the letter has been written; there’s no explanation why another character
hasn’t written one. In addition, the text’s description of Rinaldo “in a melancholy posture” suggests that he’s sad and
thoughtful, not that he’s desperate to receive the letter. Choice C is incorrect. Although the text states that Charlot won’t toss
the letter to Rinaldo because she doesn’t want it to fall, the text doesn’t refer to the contents of the letter. Instead, the text
describes how happy Rinaldo feels after reading it. Choice D is incorrect. Although the text does describe Rinaldo’s reaction
to the letter, the text doesn’t begin by discussing Atlante’s inspiration for writing the letter. Instead, the text begins by
discussing the delivery of the letter.

Difficulty: Medium | Domain: Craft_and_Structure
Many ﬁlms from the early 1900s have been lost. These losses include several ﬁlms by the ﬁrst wave of Black women
ﬁlmmakers. We know about these lost movies only from small pieces of evidence. For example, an advertisement for Jennie
Louise Touissant Welcome’s documentary Doing Their Bit still exists. There’s a reference in a magazine to Tressie Souders’s
ﬁlm A Woman’s Error. And Maria P. Williams’s The Flames of Wrath is mentioned in a letter and a newspaper article, and one
image from the movie was discovered in the 1990s.

Question: Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?
A) The text identiﬁes a complex problem, then presents examples of unsuccessful attempts to solve that problem.
B) The text summarizes a debate among researchers, then gives reasons for supporting one side in that debate.
C) The text describes a general situation, then illustrates that situation with speciﬁc examples.
D) The text discusses several notable individuals, then explains commonly overlooked differences between those

Answer: C

Rationale: Choice C is the best answer. The ﬁrst three sentences describe the general situation: these early ﬁlms have been lost, and we
only know about them from small pieces of evidence. The rest of the text offers speciﬁc examples of the small pieces of
evidence.
Choice A is incorrect. This isn’t the overall structure. The fact that we only know about these lost early ﬁlms from small
pieces of evidence isn’t presented as a “complex problem”—that’s too extreme. And the examples presented are not
“unsuccessful attempts” to solve it. If anything, the examples represent a success, because we discovered that these ﬁlms
existed in the ﬁrst place. Choice B is incorrect. This isn’t the overall structure. There’s no “debate” presented in the text, so
there’s no “side” for the text to support. Choice D is incorrect. This isn’t the overall structure. The text doesn’t discuss any
“differences” between the ﬁlmmakers.

Difficulty: Easy | Domain: Craft_and_Structure
A musician and member of the Quechua of Peru, Renata Flores Rivera was eager to promote the Quechua language in her
music, but she was ______ speaking it. She met this challenge by asking her grandmother, a native speaker of Quechua, to
help her pronounce words in her song lyrics and also by taking classes in the language.

Question: Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
A) prepared for
B) inexperienced with
C) skilled in
D) excited about

Answer: B

Rationale: Choice B is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of Renata Flores Rivera’s use of
Quechua in her music. In this context, “inexperienced with” means not accustomed to. The text indicates that Flores Rivera
wanted to promote the Quechua language in her music and overcame a challenge by seeking help with pronunciation from
her grandmother and by taking language classes. This context conveys the idea that Flores Rivera was not suﬃciently
familiar with Quechua to use it in her music without help. Thus, she was inexperienced with speaking the language, which
she addressed by seeking help.
Choice A is incorrect because describing Flores Rivera as “prepared for”—or ready for—speaking Quechua wouldn’t make
sense in context. The text indicates that speaking Quechua presented a challenge, but if she were ready to speak the
language, then there would be no challenge. Choice C is incorrect because describing Flores Rivera as “skilled in”—meaning
good at or capable of—speaking Quechua wouldn’t make sense in context. The text indicates that speaking Quechua
presented a challenge, but if she were capable of speaking the language, then there would be no challenge. Choice D is
incorrect. Flores Rivera was likely “excited about”—or thrilled or delighted with—speaking Quechua, but this wouldn’t make
sense in context. The text indicates that speaking Quechua presented a challenge, but if she were delighted with speaking
the language, then there would be no challenge.

Difficulty: Easy | Domain: Craft_and_Structure
Mathematician Claude Shannon is widely regarded as a foundational ﬁgure in information theory. His most important paper,
“A Mathematical Theory of Communication,” published in 1948 when he was employed at Bell Labs, utilized a concept called
a “binary digit” (shortened to “bit”) to measure the amount of information in any signal and determine the fastest rate at
which information could be transmitted while still being reliably decipherable. Robert Gallagher, one of Shannon’s colleagues,
said that the bit was “[Shannon’s] discovery, and from it the whole communications revolution has sprung.”

Question: Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?
A) It presents a theoretical concept, illustrates how the name of the concept has changed, and shows how the name has
entered common usage.
B) It introduces a respected researcher, describes an aspect of his work, and suggests why the work is historically
signiﬁcant.
C) It names the company where an important mathematician worked, details the mathematician’s career at the company,
and provides an example of the recognition he received there.
D) It mentions a paper, offers a summary of the paper’s ﬁndings, and presents a researcher’s commentary on the paper.

Answer: B

Rationale: Choice B is the best answer. The text starts with a general statement that introduces Shannon, then describes a speciﬁc
contribution from one of his papers, then provides a quote that illustrates just how important this contribution was.
Choice A is incorrect. This isn’t the overall structure. The text only mentions very brieﬂy, in parentheses, that “binary digit”
was shortened to “bit.” It doesn’t go into detail about this name change, and it doesn’t discuss any “common usage” of the
name at all. Choice C is incorrect. This isn’t the overall structure. Shannon’s employment at Bell Labs is only mentioned once,
very brieﬂy: the text never goes into detail about his career there, and it never mentions any recognition he received there.
Choice D is incorrect. This is too narrow. Overall, the text is about Shannon’s importance in his ﬁeld, not just this one paper of
his.

Difficulty: Hard | Domain: Craft_and_Structure
When external forces are applied to common glass made from silicates, energy builds up around minuscule defects in the
material, resulting in fractures. Recently, engineer Erkka Frankberg of Tampere University in Finland used the chemical ______
to make a glassy solid that can withstand higher strain than silicate glass can before fracturing.

Question: Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A) compound, aluminum oxide
B) compound aluminum oxide,
C) compound, aluminum oxide,
D) compound aluminum oxide

Answer: D

Rationale: Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of punctuation around noun phrases. No punctuation is
needed because the noun phrase “aluminum oxide” is a restrictive appositive, meaning that it provides essential identifying
information about the noun phrase before it, “the chemical compound,” and thus doesn’t require punctuation around it.
Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed. Choice B is incorrect because no punctuation is needed. Choice C
is incorrect because the noun phrase “aluminum oxide” is a restrictive appositive. Setting the phrase off with punctuation
suggests that it could be removed without affecting the coherence of the sentence, which isn’t the case.

Difficulty: Hard | Domain: Standard_English_Conventions
In his 1963 exhibition Exposition of Music—Electronic Television, Korean American artist Nam June Paik showed how
television images could be manipulated to express an artist’s perspective. Today, Paik ______ considered the ﬁrst video artist.

Question: Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A) will be
B) had been
C) was
D) is

Answer: D

Rationale: Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of verbs to express tense. In this choice, the present
tense verb “is,” used in conjunction with the word “today,” correctly indicates that Paik is currently considered the ﬁrst video
artist.
Choice A is incorrect because the future-indicating verb “will be” doesn’t indicate that Paik is currently considered the ﬁrst
video artist. Choice B is incorrect because the past perfect tense verb “had been” doesn’t indicate that Paik is currently
considered the ﬁrst video artist. Choice C is incorrect because the past tense verb “was” doesn’t indicate that Paik is
currently considered the ﬁrst video artist.

Difficulty: Easy | Domain: Standard_English_Conventions
Novelist N. K. Jemisin declines to ______ the conventions of the science ﬁction genre in which she writes, and she has
suggested that her readers appreciate her work precisely because of this willingness to thwart expectations and avoid
formulaic plots and themes.

Question: Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
A) question
B) react to
C) perceive
D) conform to

Answer: D

Rationale: Choice D is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of Jemisin’s writing. In this context,
“conform to” means to act in accordance with something. The text suggests that in her science ﬁction writing, Jemisin’s
willingness to go against expectations and not use plots and themes that seem to follow a formula reﬂects how she treats
the standard practices of the genre. This context conveys that Jemisin chooses not to act in accordance with those
conventions.
Choice A is incorrect. In this context, “question” would mean doubt or object to. The text indicates that Jemisin is willing to
go against expectations and not use formulaic plots and themes in her science ﬁction writing, suggesting that she may
actually object to those conventions of the genre, not that she chooses not to question them. Choice B is incorrect because
the text indicates that in her science ﬁction writing, Jemisin is willing to go against expectations and not use formulaic plots
and themes. Rather than suggesting that Jemisin chooses not to “react to,” or act in response to, the standard practices of
the genre, this context suggests that she is acting in response to such conventions by deliberately avoiding them. Choice C
is incorrect. In this context, “perceive” would mean become aware of or understand. The text indicates that in her science
ﬁction writing, Jemisin is willing to go against expectations and not use formulaic plots and themes. This context conveys
that Jemisin is aware of and deliberately avoids those conventions of the genre, not that she chooses not to be aware of
them.

Difficulty: Medium | Domain: Craft_and_Structure
Dance choreographer Jawole Willa Jo Zollar aims to give people the opportunity to be ______ her creative process. For
example, live performances of her dance HairStories, which debuted in 2001, featured videos of people across the United
States talking about their hair and audience members sharing pictures of their interesting hairstyles.

Question: Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
A) nervous about
B) completed by
C) delayed by
D) involved in

Answer: D

Rationale: Choice D is the best answer. “Involved in” means “playing an active role in.” This ﬁts the context clues describing how Zollar
includes the audience in her shows by incorporating their stories and pictures.
Choice A is incorrect. “Nervous” means “worried or anxious about.” Nothing in the text suggests that people would be
nervous about Zollar’s creative process. Choice B is incorrect. “Completed by” means “made whole by.” It doesn’t make
sense to say that Zollar’s shows would make her audience complete. Choice C is incorrect. “Delayed by” means “made late
by.” Nothing in the text suggests that people would be delayed by Zollar’s creative process.

Difficulty: Easy | Domain: Craft_and_Structure
In 1801, a Blackfoot chief named Ac Ko Mok Ki drew a ﬁnely detailed map of the Upper Missouri region. This work
demonstrates a vast amount of topographic knowledge, as the map features speciﬁc names of mountains and rivers, as well
as the ﬁrst-known sketch of the drainage network of the Missouri River. The map is especially notable because Ac Ko Mok Ki
also included details about the numerous tribes that lived in the area.

Question: Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?
A) It emphasizes Ac Ko Mok Ki’s desire to represent other tribes on the map.
B) It explains how Ac Ko Mok Ki developed an interest in mapmaking.
C) It identiﬁes some reasons why the map is impressive.
D) It details how the map was used for hunting and trading purposes.

Answer: C

Rationale: Choice C is the best answer because it best describes how the underlined sentence functions in the text as a whole. The text
presents information about a map drawn by Blackfoot chief Ac Ko Mok Ki in 1801. The underlined sentence states that the
map "demonstrates a vast amount of topographic knowledge" and mentions that it features the "speciﬁc names of
mountains and rivers" and includes the ﬁrst-known sketch of the Missouri River’s drainage network. These are all
characteristics that indicate that the map was executed with remarkable skill. Thus, the underlined sentence identiﬁes some
reasons why the map is impressive.
Choice A is incorrect. Though the sentence after the underlined sentence in the text mentions that Ac Ko Mok Ki included
information about other tribes on his map, the underlined sentence itself does not address this topic. Choice B is incorrect
because nothing in the underlined sentence indicates how Ac Ko Mok Ki became interested in mapmaking, only that his
mapmaking skills are impressive. Choice D is incorrect because though the underlined sentence describes several features
of the map, it does not speciﬁcally describe how the map was used.

Difficulty: Easy | Domain: Craft_and_Structure
A study published by Rice University geoscientist Ming Tang in 2019 offers a new explanation for the origin of Earth’s ______
structures called arcs, towering ridges that form when a dense oceanic plate subducts under a less dense continental plate,
melts in the mantle below, and then rises and bursts through the continental crust above.

Question: Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A) continents geological
B) continents: geological
C) continents; geological
D) continents. Geological

Answer: B

Rationale: Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between a main clause and a supplementary
phrase. In this choice, a colon is correctly used to mark the boundary between the main clause (“A study…continents”) and
the supplementary phrase (“geological…above”) and to introduce the following explanation of the origin of Earth’s continents.
Choice A is incorrect because it fails to mark the boundary between the main clause (“A study…continents”) and the
supplementary phrase (“geological…above”) with appropriate punctuation. Choice C is incorrect because a semicolon can’t
be used in this way to join the main clause (“A study…continents”) and the supplementary phrase (“geological…above”). A
semicolon is conventionally used to join two main clauses, whereas a colon is conventionally used to introduce an element
that explains or ampliﬁes the information in the preceding clause, making it the better choice in this context. Choice D is
incorrect because it results in a rhetorically unacceptable sentence fragment beginning with “geological.”

Difficulty: Hard | Domain: Standard_English_Conventions
The following text is from the 1924 poem “Cycle” by D’Arcy McNickle, who was a citizen of the Confederated Salish and
Kootenai Tribes.
There shall be new roads wending,
A new beating of the drum—
Men’s eyes shall have fresh seeing,
Grey lives reprise their span—
But under the new sun’s being,
Completing what night began,
There’ll be the same backs bending,
The same sad feet shall drum—
When this night ﬁnds its ending
And day shall have come.....

Question: Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
A) To consider how the repetitiveness inherent in human life can be both rewarding and challenging
B) To question whether activities completed at one time of day are more memorable than those completed at another time
of day
C) To refute the idea that joy is a more commonly experienced emotion than sadness is
D) To demonstrate how the experiences of individuals relate to the experiences of their communities

Answer: A

Rationale: Choice A is the best answer because it accurately states the main purpose of the text. The text begins by discussing the
promise of the future, with positive references to renewal such as “new roads,” “new beating of the drum,” and “fresh seeing.”
But with the “new sun,” the text continues, there will still be “the same backs bending” and “the same sad feet” drumming,
indicating that these diﬃculties will follow people into this new day. The poem thus considers both the rewards and
challenges associated with the repetitiveness of human life.
Choice B is incorrect because the text doesn’t say anything about how memorable activities are, let alone compare the
memorability of activities completed at different times of the day. Choice C is incorrect. Although the text contrasts hope
with diﬃculty, it does not compare the relative frequency of joyful feelings with that of sad feelings. Choice D is incorrect
because the text makes no distinction between the experiences of individuals and the experiences of their communities.

Difficulty: Medium | Domain: Craft_and_Structure
The poem Beowulf begins with the word “hwæt,” which is an Old English ______ as “hark!” or “listen!” in some versions, the
word was playfully rendered as “bro!” by Maria Dahvana Headley in her 2020 translation of the poem.

Question: Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A) exclamation, translated
B) exclamation and translated
C) exclamation translated
D) exclamation. Translated

Answer: D

Rationale: Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between sentences. In this choice, the period is
used correctly to mark the boundary between one sentence ("The poem…exclamation") and another sentence that begins
with a supplementary element ("Translated…poem"). The supplementary element "translated as ‘hark!’ or ‘listen!’ in some
versions" modiﬁes the subject of the second sentence, "the word" (referring to hwæt).
Choice A is incorrect because it results in a comma splice after "exclamation." A comma can’t be used in this way to mark
the boundary between sentences. Choice B is incorrect. Without a comma preceding it, the conjunction "and" can’t be used in
this way to join sentences. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a comma splice after "versions." A comma can’t be
used in this way to mark the boundary between sentences.

Difficulty: Hard | Domain: Standard_English_Conventions
A standard Argo ﬂoat, a type of autonomous robot, measures temperature and salinity in the upper regions of ice-free
oceans. More advanced ﬂoats can measure a wider range of ______ and monitor seasonal ice zones.

Question: Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A) variables: travel to greater depths
B) variables, travel to greater depths,
C) variables travel to greater depths,
D) variables, travel to greater depths;

Answer: B

Rationale: Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of items in a series. The comma after
“variables” is used conventionally to separate the ﬁrst and second items in the series, and the comma after “depths” is used
conventionally to separate the second and third items.
Choice A is incorrect because a colon can’t be used in this way to separate items in a simple series. Choice C is incorrect
because a comma is needed after “variables” to separate the ﬁrst and second items in the series. Choice D is incorrect
because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to separate items in a simple series.

Difficulty: Easy | Domain: Standard_English_Conventions
Scientists previously thought that all electric eels belong to a single species, but a team of researchers led by zoologist C.
David de Santana proved this idea wrong by ______ that there are in fact three distinct species of electric eels.

Question: Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
A) pretending
B) complaining
C) requiring
D) demonstrating

Answer: D

Rationale: Choice D is the best answer. “Demonstrating” means “showing,” and the text describes how de Santana disproved a previous
belief in only one species of electric eel by showing that three electric eel species actually exist.
Choice A is incorrect. Pretending that there are three species of electric eel might be a fun game for marine biologists, but it
wouldn’t prove the existence of more than one species. Choice B is incorrect. Complaining won’t prove anything about eels,
so de Santana could not have proved wrong the idea of only one species of electric eel by complaining about it. Choice C is
incorrect. “Requiring” means “needing.” It wouldn’t make sense to say that de Santana “needed” there to be three distinct
species of electric eel.

Difficulty: Easy | Domain: Craft_and_Structure
In 1966, Emmett Ashford became the ﬁrst African American to umpire a Major League Baseball game. His energetic
gestures announcing when a player had struck out and his habit of barreling after a hit ball to see if it would land out of
______ transform the traditionally solemn umpire role into a dynamic one.

Question: Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A) bounds helped
B) bounds, helping
C) bounds that helped
D) bounds to help

Answer: A

Rationale: Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is ﬁnite verb use in a main clause. A main clause requires a ﬁnite
verb to perform the action of the subject (in this case, Ashford’s “gestures” and “habit”), and this choice supplies the ﬁnite
past tense verb “helped” to indicate what Ashford’s gestures and habit helped accomplish.
Choice B is incorrect because the non-ﬁnite participle “helping” doesn’t supply the main clause with a ﬁnite verb. Choice C is
incorrect because the relative clause “that helped” doesn’t supply the main clause with a ﬁnite verb. Choice D is incorrect
because the non-ﬁnite to-inﬁnitive “to help” doesn’t supply the main clause with a ﬁnite verb.

Difficulty: Medium | Domain: Standard_English_Conventions
In crafting her fantasy ﬁction, Nigerian-born British author Helen Oyeyemi has drawn inspiration from the classic nineteenth-
century fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. Her 2014 novel Boy, Snow, Bird, for instance, is a complex retelling of the story of
Snow White, while her 2019 novel ______ offers a delicious twist on the classic tale of Hansel and Gretel.

Question: Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A) Gingerbread—
B) Gingerbread,
C) Gingerbread
D) Gingerbread:

Answer: C

Rationale: Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between a subject and a verb. When, as in this case,
a subject (“her 2019 novel Gingerbread”) is immediately followed by a verb (“offers”), no punctuation is needed.
Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the subject and the verb. Choice B is incorrect because no
punctuation is needed between the subject and the verb. Choice D is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between
the subject and the verb.

Difficulty: Hard | Domain: Standard_English_Conventions
The following text is from Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s 1910 poem “The Earth’s Entail.”
No matter how we cultivate the land,
Taming the forest and the prairie free;
No matter how we irrigate the sand,
Making the desert blossom at command,
 We must always leave the borders of the sea;
 The immeasureable reaches
 Of the windy wave-wet beaches,
The million-mile-long margin of the sea.

Question: Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?
A) The speaker argues against interfering with nature and then gives evidence supporting this interference.
B) The speaker presents an account of efforts to dominate nature and then cautions that such efforts are only temporary.
C) The speaker provides examples of an admirable way of approaching nature and then challenges that approach.
D) The speaker describes attempts to control nature and then offers a reminder that not all nature is controllable.

Answer: D

Rationale: Choice D is the best answer. This best describes the overall structure of the text. In the ﬁrst half of the text, the speaker
describes our attempts to control nature: cultivating, taming, and irrigating different kinds of land. In the second half, the
speaker states that we can never tame the sea or the beach. 
Choice A is incorrect. This doesn’t describe the overall structure of the text. The speaker never argues that we should not
interfere with nature. Rather, the speaker says that we are able to tame many different kinds of land, but we are unable to
tame the sea or beaches. Choice B is incorrect. This doesn’t describe the overall structure of the text. The speaker never
describes our cultivation, taming, and irrigation of land as “temporary.” Rather, the speaker says that we are able to tame
many different kinds of land, but we are unable to tame the sea or beaches. Choice C is incorrect. This doesn’t describe the
overall structure of the text. The speaker never describes our cultivation, taming, and irrigation of land as an “admirable”
approach to nature.” Rather, the speaker says that we are able to tame many different kinds of land, but we are unable to
tame the sea or beaches.

Difficulty: Medium | Domain: Craft_and_Structure
On July 23, 1854, a clipper ship called the Flying Cloud entered San Francisco ______ left New York Harbor under the
guidance of Captain Josiah Perkins Creesy and his wife, navigator Eleanor Creesy, a mere 89 days and 8 hours earlier, the
celebrated ship set a record that would stand for 135 years.

Question: Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A) Bay and having
B) Bay. Having
C) Bay, having
D) Bay having

Answer: B

Rationale: Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between sentences. In this choice, the period
after “Bay” is used correctly to mark the boundary between one sentence (“On…Bay”) and another sentence that begins with
a supplementary phrase (“Having…years”). Here, the supplementary phrase beginning with “having” modiﬁes the subject of
the second sentence, “the celebrated ship.”
Choice A is incorrect. Without a comma preceding it, the conjunction “and” can’t be used in this way to join sentences.
Choice C is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way to join two sentences. Choice
D is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The sentences (“On…Bay” and “having…years”) are fused without
punctuation and/or a conjunction.

Difficulty: Hard | Domain: Standard_English_Conventions
By combining Indigenous and classical music, Cree composer and cellist Cris Derksen creates works that reﬂect the diverse
cultural landscape of Canada. For her album Orchestral Powwow, Derksen composed new songs in the style of traditional
powwow music that were accompanied by classical arrangements played by an orchestra. But where an orchestra would
normally follow the directions of a conductor, the musicians on Orchestral Powwow are led by the beat of a powwow drum.

Question: Which choice best states the main purpose of the text?
A) To examine how Derksen’s musical compositions blend cultures
B) To argue that Derksen should be recognized for creating a new style of music
C) To describe the diﬃculties Derksen encountered when producing her album
D) To establish a contrast between Derksen’s classical training and her Cree heritage

Answer: A

Rationale: Choice A is the best answer because it most accurately describes the main purpose of the text, which is to discuss how
Derksen’s compositions incorporate elements from both Indigenous and classical music. After introducing Derksen, the text
describes how the songs Derksen composed for her album Orchestral Powwow feature aspects of the two musical
traditions. Speciﬁcally, the text notes that Derksen wrote songs in the style of traditional powwow music but accompanied
them with classical arrangements played by an orchestra that followed the beat of a powwow drum rather than the
directions of a conductor. In this way, Derksen’s compositions blend different cultures.
Choice B is incorrect because although the text suggests that Derksen’s songs contain innovative elements since they blend
styles from two different musical traditions, it doesn’t discuss whether her compositions constitute a new style of music, let
alone whether Derksen should be recognized for creating a new style of music. Choice C is incorrect because the text
doesn’t mention any diﬃculties Derksen encountered when producing her album. Rather, the text describes how the songs
on the album exemplify how Derksen combines music from two different cultures.  Choice D is incorrect because although
the text mentions Derksen’s Cree heritage and suggests that she relies on knowledge of both Indigenous and classical music
when she composes her songs, it doesn’t discuss her musical training. Additionally, the text is primarily focused on how
Derksen combines different cultural traditions, not on contrasting Derksen’s training with her heritage.

Difficulty: Medium | Domain: Craft_and_Structure
Archaeologists have estimated that the pre-Columbian Native American city of Cahokia, located across the Mississippi River
from modern-day St. Louis, Missouri, had as many as 20,000 inhabitants in the year 1150 ______ it one of the largest cities in
North America at the time.

Question: Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A) CE making
B) CE. Making
C) CE, making
D) CE; making

Answer: C

Rationale: Choice C is the best answer. The phrase “making…at the time” provides additional information about Cahokia that’s not
required for the sentence to make sense or function grammatically. As a nonessential supplement, this phrase should be
separated from the rest of the sentence with a comma.
Choice A is incorrect. This choice results in a run-on sentence. The nonessential descriptive aside “making…at the time”
needs to be separated from the rest of the sentence with a comma. Choice B is incorrect. This choice results in a sentence
fragment. “Making…at the time” doesn’t have a subject and can’t stand on its own as a sentence. Thus, it can’t be separated
from the rest of the sentence with a period. Choice D is incorrect. This choice results in a punctuation error. “Making…at the
time” doesn’t have a subject and can’t stand on its own as an independent clause. Since a semicolon can only link two
independent clauses, using one here creates an error.

Difficulty: Medium | Domain: Standard_English_Conventions
In a 2019 study, Jeremy Gunawardena and colleagues found that the single-celled protozoan Stentor roeseli not only uses
strategies to escape irritating stimuli but also switches strategies when one fails. This evidence of protozoans
sophisticatedly “changing their minds” demonstrates that single-celled organisms may not be limited to ______ behaviors.

Question: Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
A) aggressive
B) rudimentary
C) evolving
D) advantageous

Answer: B

Rationale: Choice B is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of single-celled organism behavior. As
used in this context, “rudimentary” means basic or unsophisticated. According to the text, a study of the single-celled
protozoan Stentor roeseli showed that the organisms can switch strategies for escaping certain stimuli, “sophisticatedly
‘changing their minds’” and using new strategies should other strategies fail. This context suggests that single-celled
organisms may not be limited to behaviors that are basic or rudimentary, since the study showed that single-celled
protozoans can respond complexly to irritating stimuli.
Choice A is incorrect because the text doesn’t suggest that single-celled organisms may not be limited to behavior that is
“aggressive,” or threatening. Rather, the text suggests that single-celled organisms may not be limited to behaviors that are
basic, since the study of Stentor roeseli showed that single-celled protozoans can respond complexly to irritating stimuli.
Choice C is incorrect because the text doesn’t suggest that single-celled organisms may not be limited to behavior that is
“evolving,” or advancing. Rather, the text suggests that single-celled organisms may not be limited to behaviors that are
basic, since the study of Stentor roeseli showed that single-celled protozoans can respond complexly to irritating stimuli.
Choice D is incorrect because the text doesn’t suggest that single-celled organisms may not be limited to behavior that is
“advantageous,” or helpful. Rather, the text suggests that single-celled organisms may not be limited to behaviors that are
basic, since the study of Stentor roeseli showed that single-celled protozoans can respond complexly to irritating stimuli.

Difficulty: Medium | Domain: Craft_and_Structure
Artist Marilyn Dingle’s intricate, coiled baskets are ______ sweetgrass and palmetto palm. Following a Gullah technique that
originated in West Africa, Dingle skillfully winds a thin palm frond around a bunch of sweetgrass with the help of a “sewing
bone” to create the basket’s signature look that no factory can reproduce.

Question: Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
A) indicated by
B) handmade from
C) represented by
D) collected with

Answer: B

Rationale: Choice B is the best answer because it most logically completes the text’s discussion of Marilyn Dingle’s baskets. In this
context, to say that Dingle’s baskets are “handmade from” particular plants means that Dingle creates baskets herself using
those plants but without using machines. The text says that Dingle “skillfully winds” parts of palmetto palm plants around
sweetgrass plants to make baskets with an appearance that “no factory can reproduce.” This context suggests that Dingle’s
baskets are handmade from sweetgrass and palmetto palm. 
Choice A is incorrect because the text describes how Dingle uses sweetgrass and palmetto palm to create her baskets, not
how her baskets are “indicated by,” or signiﬁed by, sweetgrass and palmetto palm. Choice C is incorrect. Although Dingle’s
baskets are described as being made using sweetgrass and palm, there’s nothing in the text to suggest that the baskets are
“represented by,” or exempliﬁed or portrayed by, sweetgrass and palmetto palm. Instead, the focus of the text is on Dingle’s
use of sweetgrass and palmetto palm and the impossibility of replicating the appearance of her baskets using machines.
Choice D is incorrect because there’s nothing in the text to suggest that Dingle’s baskets are “collected with,” or brought
together in a group with, sweetgrass and palmetto palm. Instead, the text describes how Dingle uses those plants to make
her baskets.

Difficulty: Easy | Domain: Craft_and_Structure
In 1727, dramatist Lewis Theobald presented a new play, Double Falsehood, at a London theater. Theobald claimed that his
drama was based on a little-known play by William Shakespeare, Cardenio. Many, including poet Alexander Pope, were ______
historians have determined that Shakespeare’s company did perform a play called Cardenio in 1613.

Question: Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A) skeptical but
B) skeptical, but
C) skeptical,
D) skeptical

Answer: B

Rationale: Choice B is the best answer. There are two independent clauses in the sentence, each with a subject and a verb:
"many...were skeptical" and "historians have determined…." These clauses can be grammatically joined by a comma and the
coordinating conjunction "but."
Choice A is incorrect. This choice results in a run-on sentence, which occurs when two independent clauses are joined
without punctuation. Two independent clauses can’t be joined by just the coordinating conjunction "but." A comma would
also be required. Choice C is incorrect. This choice creates a punctuation error called a comma splice. This sentence
contains two independent clauses ("Many…were skeptical" and "historians have determined…"). A comma alone can’t join
two independent clauses. That requires a comma and a coordinating conjunction. Choice D is incorrect. This choice results
in a run-on sentence, which occurs when two independent clauses are joined without punctuation. This sentence contains
two independent clauses ("Many…were skeptical" and "historians have determined…"), which need to be either joined by a
semicolon, joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction, or separated by a period.

Difficulty: Medium | Domain: Standard_English_Conventions
In addition to advocating for South America’s independence in two political treatises, the Cartagena Manifesto and the Letter
from Jamaica, Simón Bolívar personally led armies against the Spanish, liberating three South American territories—New
Granada (present-day Colombia and Panama), Venezuela, and Quito (present-day ______ from colonial rule.

Question: Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A) Ecuador,)
B) Ecuador)
C) Ecuador),
D) Ecuador)—

Answer: D

Rationale: Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of a supplementary element within a sentence.
The dash after “Ecuador” and the closing parenthesis pairs with the dash after “territories” to separate the supplementary
element (“New…Ecuador”) from the rest of the sentence. The supplementary element speciﬁes the three South American
territories that Simón Bolívar liberated, and the pair of dashes indicates that this element could be removed without affecting
the grammatical coherence of the sentence.
Choice A is incorrect because it fails to use appropriate punctuation to separate the supplementary element from the rest of
the sentence. Furthermore, punctuation isn’t needed between “Ecuador” and the closing parenthesis. Choice B is incorrect
because it fails to use appropriate punctuation to separate the supplementary element from the rest of the sentence. Choice
C is incorrect because a comma can’t be paired with a dash to separate the supplementary element from the rest of the
sentence.

Difficulty: Hard | Domain: Standard_English_Conventions