16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardDash pair around an interruption containing a list

Standard English Conventions practice question

Three of the pieces — a jar, a tea bowl, and a ____ were bought by the county museum.

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

  1. A. plate —Correct
  2. B. plate,
  3. C. plate;
  4. D. plate

Answer: A. plate —

An interruption opened with a dash is closed with a dash.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. plate,
A comma can't close a dash.
C. plate;
Nor can a semicolon.
D. plate
Without a closing mark, the list swallows the verb.

More Standard English Conventions questions

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