Grade: Grade 6 Subject: SAT/ACT Skills Unit: Conventions Practice SAT: StandardEnglishConventions ACT: English

Question Types

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Standard English Conventions questions on the SAT and ACT test your knowledge of grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. Understanding the different question types helps you recognize what each question is testing and apply the right rules.

The Four Main Question Types

1. Punctuation Questions

These questions test your ability to use commas, semicolons, colons, dashes, and apostrophes correctly.

  • Commas: Separating items in lists, setting off introductory elements, joining independent clauses with conjunctions
  • Semicolons: Joining two related independent clauses without a conjunction
  • Colons: Introducing lists, explanations, or elaborations
  • Apostrophes: Showing possession or forming contractions

2. Subject-Verb Agreement Questions

These test whether subjects and verbs match in number (singular or plural).

  • Singular subjects need singular verbs: "The dog runs."
  • Plural subjects need plural verbs: "The dogs run."
  • Watch out for tricky phrases between the subject and verb!

3. Pronoun Questions

These test pronoun-antecedent agreement and correct pronoun case.

  • Agreement: Pronouns must match their antecedents in number and gender
  • Case: Use subject pronouns (I, she, they) for subjects; object pronouns (me, her, them) for objects

4. Modifier Questions

These test whether modifying phrases are placed correctly in sentences.

  • Modifiers should be placed next to what they describe
  • Misplaced modifiers create confusing or illogical sentences

Examples

Example 1: Punctuation (Comma Usage)

The scientist collected samples, analyzed the data, and published her findings.

Question Type: Comma usage in a series

Rule: Use commas to separate three or more items in a list.

Analysis: This sentence correctly uses commas to separate the three actions: collected, analyzed, and published.

Example 2: Subject-Verb Agreement

The collection of rare stamps is / are valuable.

Question Type: Subject-verb agreement with intervening phrase

Rule: The verb must agree with the subject, not with words in prepositional phrases.

Analysis: "Collection" is the subject (singular), so the verb should be "is." Don't be fooled by "stamps" in the prepositional phrase!

Example 3: Pronoun Agreement

Each student must bring their / his or her own supplies.

Question Type: Pronoun-antecedent agreement

Rule: Pronouns must agree in number with their antecedents. "Each" is singular.

Analysis: Traditionally, "his or her" matches the singular "each." However, "their" is increasingly accepted as a singular pronoun. Check what your test prep materials recommend.

Example 4: Modifier Placement

Walking through the park, the flowers caught Maria's attention.

Question Type: Dangling modifier

Rule: A modifying phrase at the beginning of a sentence must describe the subject that follows.

Analysis: This is incorrect because the flowers weren't walking! Better: "Walking through the park, Maria noticed the flowers."

Practice

Identify the question type for each item, then choose the correct answer.

1. The group of musicians perform / performs every Saturday.

Hint: Find the subject and determine if it's singular or plural.

2. My brother and I went to the store, and he bought / him bought some groceries.

Hint: What type of pronoun is needed here?

3. The teacher's / s' / s classroom was decorated for the holidays.

Hint: How do you show possession for a singular noun?

4. Running late for school, / ; / : Jamie forgot her homework.

Hint: What punctuation follows an introductory phrase?

5. Neither the coach nor the players was / were happy about the rain delay.

Hint: With "neither...nor," the verb agrees with the closer subject.

6. Covered in mud, the dog needed a bath / a bath was needed for the dog.

Hint: What is "covered in mud" describing?

7. The museum's exhibits, which include rare artifacts, attract thousands of visitors.

Hint: How should you punctuate a nonessential clause?

8. Every one of the students has / have completed the assignment.

Hint: "Every one" is singular.

9. The book on the shelf belongs to she / her.

Hint: Is the pronoun a subject or an object in this sentence?

10. I have three favorite hobbies: / ; / , reading, swimming, and hiking.

Hint: What punctuation introduces a list?

Check Your Understanding

Answer Key

  1. performs - Subject-Verb Agreement (subject is "group," which is singular)
  2. he bought - Pronoun Case (subject pronoun needed)
  3. 's - Punctuation/Apostrophe (singular possessive)
  4. , (comma) - Punctuation (introductory phrase)
  5. were - Subject-Verb Agreement (verb agrees with "players," the nearer subject)
  6. the dog needed a bath - Modifier Placement (the dog is covered in mud)
  7. Correct as written - Punctuation (commas around nonessential clause)
  8. has - Subject-Verb Agreement ("every one" is singular)
  9. her - Pronoun Case (object of preposition "to")
  10. : (colon) - Punctuation (introducing a list)

Self-Assessment

  • Can you identify each of the four main question types?
  • Do you know which grammar rule applies to each type?
  • Were you able to avoid common traps like intervening phrases?

Next Steps

  • Review any question types that felt challenging
  • Create flashcards for the four main question types and their rules
  • Move on to the Timed Drill lesson to practice working under time pressure
  • Return to practice problems periodically for review