16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsHardEssential clause without commas

Standard English Conventions practice question

Of the forty students enrolled in the summer course, only those who finished every assignment earned a certificate. Students ____ will receive their certificates by mail.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. who completed every assignmentCorrect
  2. B. , who completed every assignment,
  3. C. who completed every assignment,
  4. D. , who completed every assignment

Answer: A. who completed every assignment

The first sentence tells us only some students earned certificates, so 'who completed every assignment' is essential — it identifies WHICH students. Essential clauses are not set off by commas.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. , who completed every assignment,
Commas on both sides would make the clause a nonessential aside, implying ALL the students completed every assignment. The context says only some did.
C. who completed every assignment,
A single comma after the clause has no partner and no purpose; it also splits the subject from its verb 'will receive'.
D. , who completed every assignment
A comma before the clause but not after it is unbalanced, and any comma at all wrongly signals that the clause could be dropped.

More Standard English Conventions questions

Not affiliated with the College Board. SAT is a trademark of the College Board.