After an opening modifier, choose the right subject (SAT)

Question 1

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Discovered in 2014, ___ • scientists found that the dinosaur had feathers. • it was revealed that the dinosaur had feathers. • the dinosaur's feathers surprised scientists. • the fossil revealed that the dinosaur had feathers.

• A. scientists found that the dinosaur had feathers.
• B. it was revealed that the dinosaur had feathers.
• C. the dinosaur's feathers surprised scientists.
• D. the fossil revealed that the dinosaur had feathers.

Question 2

Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? Unlike most birds, swimming is how penguins move.

• A. correct
• B. incorrect

Question 3

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Hoping to reduce traffic, ___ • traffic was reduced by a congestion charge. • a congestion charge was introduced by city officials. • the introduction of a congestion charge followed. • city officials introduced a congestion charge.

• A. traffic was reduced by a congestion charge.
• B. a congestion charge was introduced by city officials.
• C. the introduction of a congestion charge followed.
• D. city officials introduced a congestion charge.

Question 4

Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? Born in Enugu, Nigeria, in 1977, several acclaimed books have been written by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

• A. correct
• B. incorrect

Question 5

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A pioneer of computer science, ___ • the first published computer program was written by Ada Lovelace. • Ada Lovelace's notes included the first published program. • it was Ada Lovelace who wrote the program. • Ada Lovelace wrote what is often called the first published computer program.

• A. the first published computer program was written by Ada Lovelace.
• B. Ada Lovelace's notes included the first published program.
• C. it was Ada Lovelace who wrote the program.
• D. Ada Lovelace wrote what is often called the first published computer program.

Question 6

Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? Discovered in 2014, the fossil revealed that the dinosaur had feathers.

• A. correct
• B. incorrect

Question 7

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

• A. Frida Kahlo explores identity and pain in her new work.
• B. identity and pain are explored by Frida Kahlo.
• C. Frida Kahlo's new work explores identity and pain.
• D. Frida Kahlo, in her new work, explores identity.

Question 8

Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? Like her earlier paintings, Frida Kahlo explores identity and pain in her new work.

• A. correct
• B. incorrect

Question 9

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

• A. Frida Kahlo's new work explores identity and pain.
• B. identity and pain are explored by Frida Kahlo.
• C. Frida Kahlo, in her new work, explores identity.
• D. Frida Kahlo explores identity and pain in her new work.

Question 10

Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? Hoping to reduce traffic, city officials introduced a congestion charge.

• A. correct
• B. incorrect

Question 11

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Built to withstand earthquakes, ___ • swaying gently prevents the tower from cracking. • the tower sways gently instead of cracking. • engineers designed the tower to sway gently. • the designers made sure that the tower sways.

• A. swaying gently prevents the tower from cracking.
• B. the tower sways gently instead of cracking.
• C. engineers designed the tower to sway gently.
• D. the designers made sure that the tower sways.

Question 12

Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? Built to withstand earthquakes, engineers designed the tower to sway gently.

• A. correct
• B. incorrect

Question 13

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Having analysed samples from forty lakes, ___ • it was concluded that the pollution came from farm runoff. • the conclusion was that the pollution came from farm runoff. • farm runoff was identified as the source. • the researchers concluded that the pollution came from farm runoff.

• A. it was concluded that the pollution came from farm runoff.
• B. the conclusion was that the pollution came from farm runoff.
• C. farm runoff was identified as the source.
• D. the researchers concluded that the pollution came from farm runoff.

Question 14

Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? Having analysed samples from forty lakes, the researchers concluded that the pollution came from farm runoff.

• A. correct
• B. incorrect

Question 15

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Unlike most birds, ___ • the penguin's wings are used for swimming. • flying is impossible for penguins. • swimming is how penguins move. • penguins cannot fly but are excellent swimmers.

• A. the penguin's wings are used for swimming.
• B. flying is impossible for penguins.
• C. swimming is how penguins move.
• D. penguins cannot fly but are excellent swimmers.

Question 16

Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? Hoping to reduce traffic, the introduction of a congestion charge followed.

• A. correct
• B. incorrect