11th grade grammar

Example

Which choice conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The novel's themes of memory and loss ___ readers long after the final page.

1. SAT/ACT convention questions test agreement, verb form, pronouns and sentence structure.
2. The subject is 'themes' (plural), so the verb is 'stay with'.
3. Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "The novel's themes of memory and loss stay with readers long after the final page."
4. So the answer is: stay with

Answer: stay with

Example

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The museum, ___ in a former power station, attracts millions of visitors a year.

1. A sentence needs a finite main verb for its subject; -ing/-ed participles and to-infinitives cannot be the main verb on their own.
2. The main verb is 'attracts'; the phrase between commas describes the museum, so a past participle is needed.
3. Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "The museum, housed in a former power station, attracts millions of visitors a year."
4. So the answer is: housed

Answer: housed

Example

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The sound of thousands of frogs calling across the wetlands ___ deafening at night.

1. The verb agrees with the head noun of the subject, however much information comes in between.
2. The subject is 'sound' (singular).
3. Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "The sound of thousands of frogs calling across the wetlands is deafening at night."
4. So the answer is: is

Answer: is

Example

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? In her 2015 study, the biologist argued that bees ___ to recognise human faces.

1. Choose the tense that fits the time markers and stays consistent with the rest of the passage.
2. Reporting a past argument: could learn.
3. Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "In her 2015 study, the biologist argued that bees could learn to recognise human faces."
4. So the answer is: could learn

Answer: could learn

Example

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Like her earlier paintings, ___ • Frida Kahlo, in her new work, explores identity. • Frida Kahlo's new work explores identity and pain. • identity and pain are explored by Frida Kahlo. • Frida Kahlo explores identity and pain in her new work.

1. An introductory modifier must be followed directly by the noun it describes; otherwise it dangles.
2. Paintings must be compared with work, not with the artist.
3. So the answer is: Frida Kahlo's new work explores identity and pain.

Answer: Frida Kahlo's new work explores identity and pain.