Master Boundaries with Digital SAT Practice Questions on Punctuation for English Language Learners
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At a glance:
- introduction
- lesson
- 3 areas to practice
- SAT grammar overview & links
- FAQ
In the SAT boundaries questions there are three areas:
- linking clauses
- supplements
- punctuation (covered already)
In this article we focus on the linking clauses and supplements SAT questions and how to answer them. Punctuation was covered in detail in lesson 6 (see link below).
LESSON 8
Visit each page to understand what are these questions, and how to answer them.
Once you have read all the help, try the quizzes that are linked below. You are now ready to attempt the Khan Academy unit test for the SAT grammar.
You now have covered all the grammar areas and you can plan your exam preparation for the digital SAT grammar questions.
Supplements
How are two texts connected? Are the authors of the passages agreeing or disagreeing?
Digital SAT Grammar
Grammar Lessons
Khan Academy – all SAT grammar questions together
SAT Form, Structure and Sense
SAT grammar practice – if you need practice on one area
Alps Academy
Khan Academy
SAT Punctuation Boundaries
In the SAT boundaries questions there are three areas linked above
9 LESSONS
Digital SAT English
gain a clear understanding of the question types, structure, and strategies.
feel ready to use official SAT resources effectively because you will know what to look for and how to approach questions.
They are equipped with essential information, knowledge and strategies to confidently attempt SAT-level practice questions and eventually full tests — transforming from beginners to focused SAT learners.
FAQ: Boundaries and Punctuation on the Digital SAT
What are the boundaries in SAT?
Boundaries are the rules that show where one part of a sentence ends and another begins. These include punctuation rules that help connect or separate clauses, such as commas, semicolons, colons, dashes, and periods.
How to know what punctuation to use on SAT?
First, check the sentence structure. If you see two independent clauses, use a semicolon or a comma with a coordinating conjunction. If there is a list, use commas to separate items. If extra information is added, use commas, dashes, or parentheses.
Why does the SAT call punctuation questions and boundaries questions?
Because these questions test your understanding of how to divide or connect parts of a sentence. You need to choose punctuation that shows correct sentence boundaries and follows the conventions of standard English.
How much of the SAT is grammar and punctuation?
On the writing section, about half of the questions focus on grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. These are known as standard English conventions.
How do you punctuate however on the SAT?
Use a semicolon before however if it connects two independent clauses. Place a comma after however. Example: I was tired; however, I finished my homework.
Vocabulary for SAT Boundaries
- An independent clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb that forms a complete sentence. A dependent clause cannot stand alone and needs to be joined to an independent clause.
- A comma splice happens when you join two independent clauses with just a comma, which is incorrect. Use a semicolon, a period, or a coordinating conjunction (such as and, but, so) to fix it.
- A supplementary element is extra information that can be removed without changing the meaning of the main clause. Use commas, dashes, or parentheses to separate it from the rest of the sentence.
Digital SAT Grammar
- Always check whether a clause is complete or incomplete. This helps avoid fragments, run-ons, and comma splices.
To join two independent clauses, you can use a semicolon, a coordinating conjunction, or make two sentences using a period. - Use a colon to introduce items in a list or to explain an idea that follows.
- Use a comma to separate items in a list, to mark non-essential information, or before a coordinating conjunction joining two clauses.
- A dash can be used instead of commas or parentheses to set off a supplementary phrase.
- Punctuation should match sentence structure and help with clarity and coherence in academic writing.
- Each answer choice in a grammar question should be checked carefully to see which one conforms to the conventions of standard English.
Master Standard English Type of Questions
Some SAT grammar questions ask you to choose the punctuation mark that makes the sentence correct. These are called boundary questions. They test if you can fix a run-on or use appropriate punctuation within a sentence.
Other questions on the SAT are about finding the choice that completes the text so that it conforms to grammar rules. To get the correct answer, you must understand how punctuation is used to separate ideas and how it is used to introduce extra information.
A common mistake is a comma splice. This happens when two closely related independent clauses are joined without punctuation or with only a comma. This results in a comma splice. To fix it, use a semicolon to separate the ideas or turn them into two sentences.
You also need to understand when a comma is used. It is often used to separate items in a list, or to put commas around extra information. A dash or colon may also be used depending on the sentence.
Some questions test your understanding of parallel structure. This means repeating the same pattern in a sentence. For example, verbs or nouns should match in form. These are the kind of grammar rules you need to follow in the English section.
Other type questions ask you to find the subject-verb agreement or correct placement of the second clause. You should also pay close attention to small words and different punctuation choices.
Sometimes you will see sense questions. These ask you to pick the answer that makes the most sense within a passage. The sentence should be grammatically correct and flow well.
Even an exclamation must follow the rules. It must be part of one sentence and still follow punctuation rules like any other sentence.
To get these questions right, practice carefully reading and checking for boundary rules. Always look for punctuation that matches the meaning and structure of the sentence.