SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) Reading and Writing: Standard English Conventions Syllabus

Reading and Writing: Standard English Conventions syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Reading and Writing: Standard English Conventions in SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Sentence Boundaries and Structure

   4 topics

   • Complete sentences vs. fragments
     • Subject and predicate requirements
     • Dependent vs. independent clauses
   • Run-ons and comma splices
     • Joining with conjunctions
     • Joining with semicolons and periods
   • Coordination and subordination
     • Coordinating conjunctions
     • Subordinating conjunctions
   • Supplementary elements and punctuation
     • Nonessential clauses set off by commas
     • Dashes and parentheses for asides
2. 2

   Punctuation Usage

   4 topics

   • Commas
     • Items in a series
     • Introductory elements
     • Avoiding unnecessary commas
   • Semicolons and colons
     • Linking independent clauses
     • Introducing lists and explanations
   • Apostrophes
     • Possessives singular and plural
     • Its vs. it's and contractions
   • End punctuation and dashes
3. 3

   Agreement and Form

   4 topics

   • Subject-verb agreement
     • Intervening phrases
     • Collective and indefinite subjects
   • Pronoun-antecedent agreement
     • Number and gender consistency
     • Ambiguous pronoun reference
   • Verb tense and aspect consistency
     • Sequence of tenses
     • Irregular verb forms
   • Modifier placement
     • Dangling modifiers
     • Misplaced modifiers

Reading and Writing: Standard English Conventions flashcards for SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)

18 of 50 cards from the Reading and Writing: Standard English Conventions deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What three components must an independent clause (complete sentence) contain?

   A subject, a verb (predicate), and a complete thought that can stand alone.

2. What is a sentence fragment?

   A group of words punctuated as a sentence but missing a subject, a finite verb, or a complete thought (e.g., a dependent clause standing alone).

3. Why is 'Because the experiment failed.' a fragment, and how do you fix it?

   It is a dependent (subordinate) clause that does not express a complete thought. Fix it by attaching an independent clause: 'Because the experiment failed, the team revised the plan.'

4. What is a run-on (fused) sentence?

   Two or more independent clauses joined together with no punctuation or connecting word between them (e.g., 'I ran I was late').

5. What is a comma splice?

   The error of joining two independent clauses with only a comma and no coordinating conjunction (e.g., 'I ran, I was late').

6. List four correct ways to join two independent clauses.

   1) Period (two sentences); 2) Comma + coordinating conjunction; 3) Semicolon; 4) Colon or dash (when the second clause explains the first).

7. What are the seven coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS)?

   For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.

8. When joining two independent clauses with a FANBOYS conjunction, where does the comma go?

   Before the coordinating conjunction (e.g., 'She studied hard, so she passed').

9. What is coordination in sentence structure?

   Joining two grammatically equal, independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) to give them equal emphasis.

10. What is subordination in sentence structure?

    Joining clauses by making one dependent on the other using a subordinating conjunction, signaling that one idea is less central than the other.

11. Give five common subordinating conjunctions.

    Because, although, since, while, when, if, unless, after, before, though (any of these).

12. When a dependent clause begins a sentence, what punctuation follows it?

    A comma (e.g., 'Although it rained, we played').

13. When a dependent clause comes at the end of a sentence, is a comma usually needed?

    Usually no comma is needed (e.g., 'We played although it rained').

14. What is a conjunctive adverb, and how is it punctuated between two independent clauses?

    A transition word like 'however,' 'therefore,' 'moreover,' or 'consequently.' Between two independent clauses use a semicolon before it and a comma after it (e.g., '...; however, ...').

15. What are supplementary (nonessential) elements?

    Words, phrases, or clauses that add extra, removable information without changing the core meaning of the sentence.

16. What three punctuation marks can set off a supplementary element, and what is the rule for pairing them?

    Commas, dashes, or parentheses. You must use the SAME mark on both sides of the element (no mixing, e.g., not a comma paired with a dash).

17. What is the difference between a nonrestrictive and a restrictive clause in terms of commas?

    Nonrestrictive (nonessential) clauses are set off with commas; restrictive (essential) clauses, which are needed to identify the noun, take no commas.

18. When do you use 'which' versus 'that' for clauses on the SAT?

    Use 'which' (with commas) for nonrestrictive/nonessential clauses; use 'that' (no commas) for restrictive/essential clauses.

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