SAT Grammar
Question 1:
In 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the moon. Many people _______ this event as one of the greatest achievements in human history.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) considering
B) considered
C) consider
D) to consider
Correct Answer: C) consider
Explanation: The plural verb “consider” agrees in number with the plural subject “many people.” Choices A, B, and D do not provide the correct finite verb form needed for the sentence.
Question 2:
The ancient Greeks _______ the Olympic Games to honor their gods, especially Zeus.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) have founding
B) founded
C) founding
D) founds
Correct Answer: B) founded
Explanation: The past tense verb “founded” correctly reflects the historical context and provides a finite verb form for the sentence. The other choices either do not match in tense or are not finite verbs.
Question 3:
The Amazon rainforest _______ a rich diversity of plant and animal species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) supporting
B) supports
C) support
D) to support
Correct Answer: B) supports
Explanation: The singular verb “supports” agrees in number with the singular subject “The Amazon rainforest.” The other choices do not provide the correct finite verb form needed for the sentence.
Question 4:
The Wright brothers’ invention of the airplane _______ the way people travel, making it possible to fly across the world in a matter of hours.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) changing
B) change
C) changed
D) to change
Correct Answer: C) changed
Explanation: The past tense verb “changed” correctly reflects the historical event and provides a finite verb form for the sentence. The other choices do not provide the correct finite verb form needed for the sentence.
Question 5:
The author J.K. Rowling _______ worldwide fame with the release of her Harry Potter series, which became one of the best-selling book series in history.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) achieves
B) achieving
C) achieved
D) achieve
Correct Answer: C) achieved
Explanation: The past tense verb “achieved” correctly reflects the timing of the event and provides a finite verb form for the sentence. The other choices do not provide the correct finite verb form needed for the sentence.
Question 6:
Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity _______ a major breakthrough in the understanding of physics and the nature of the universe.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) represents
B) representing
C) represent
D) represented
Correct Answer: D) represented
Explanation: The past tense verb “represented” correctly reflects the historical context and provides a finite verb form for the sentence. The other choices do not provide the correct finite verb form needed for the sentence.
Question 7:
The Great Wall of China, which stretches over 13,000 miles, _______ as a formidable defense system for the ancient Chinese empires.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) serves
B) serving
C) serve
D) served
Correct Answer: D) served
Explanation: The past tense verb “served” correctly reflects the historical context and provides a finite verb form for the sentence. The other choices do not provide the correct finite verb form needed for the sentence.
Question 8:
The discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming _______ a revolution in medicine, leading to the development of antibiotics.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) causes
B) causing
C) caused
D) to cause
Correct Answer: C) caused
Explanation: The past tense verb “caused” correctly reflects the timing of the event and provides a finite verb form for the sentence. The other choices do not provide the correct finite verb form needed for the sentence.
Question 9:
Marie Curie, who _______ two Nobel Prizes for her work in physics and chemistry, remains an inspiration to scientists around the world.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) won
B) wins
C) winning
D) win
Correct Answer: A) won
Explanation: The past tense verb “won” correctly reflects the historical event and provides a finite verb form for the sentence. The other choices do not provide the correct finite verb form needed for the sentence.
Question 10:
The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the 15th century _______ the mass production of books, making knowledge more accessible to the public.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) enabled
B) enabling
C) enable
D) to enable
Correct Answer: A) enabled
Explanation: The past tense verb “enabled” correctly reflects the historical event and provides a finite verb form for the sentence. The other choices do not provide the correct finite verb form needed for the sentence.
Question 11:
The sinking of the Titanic in 1912 _______ widespread public attention and led to changes in maritime safety regulations.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) attracted
B) attracting
C) attract
D) to attract
Correct Answer: A) attracted
Explanation: The past tense verb “attracted” correctly reflects the timing of the event and provides a finite verb form for the sentence. The other choices do not provide the correct finite verb form needed for the sentence.
Question 12:
The Eiffel Tower, constructed in 1889, _______ one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) remains
B) remaining
C) remain
D) to remain
Correct Answer: A) remains
Explanation: The singular verb “remains” agrees in number with the singular subject “The Eiffel Tower” and provides a finite verb form for the sentence. The other choices do not provide the correct finite verb form needed for the sentence.
Question 13:
The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s _______ significant changes in laws and social norms in the United States.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) bringing
B) brought
C) bring
D) to bring
Correct Answer: B) brought
Explanation: The past tense verb “brought” correctly reflects the timing of the events and provides a finite verb form for the sentence. The other choices do not provide the correct finite verb form needed for the sentence.
Question 14:
The use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power _______ in recent years due to environmental concerns.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) increased
B) increasing
C) increase
D) to increase
Correct Answer: A) increased
Explanation: The past tense verb “increased” correctly reflects the timing of the event and provides a finite verb form for the sentence. The other choices do not provide the correct finite verb form needed for the sentence.
Question 15:
The painting “Mona Lisa,” created by Leonardo da Vinci, _______ in the Louvre Museum in Paris.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) hangs
B) hanging
C) hang
D) to hang
Correct Answer: A) hangs
Explanation: The singular verb “hangs” agrees in number with the singular subject “The painting ‘Mona Lisa’” and provides a finite verb form for the sentence. The other choices do not provide the correct finite verb form needed for the sentence.
Question 16:
The pyramids of Giza, built as tombs for the ancient Egyptian pharaohs, _______ among the most enduring symbols of ancient Egypt.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) standing
B) stand
C) stands
D) to stand
Correct Answer: B) stand
Explanation: The plural verb “stand” agrees in number with the plural subject “The pyramids of Giza” and provides a finite verb form for the sentence. The other choices do not provide the correct finite verb form needed for the sentence.
Question 17:
The theory of evolution, proposed by Charles Darwin, _______ our understanding of the natural world and the development of species.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) transforming
B) transformed
C) transform
D) to transform
Correct Answer: B) transformed
Explanation: The past tense verb “transformed” correctly reflects the timing of the event and provides a finite verb form for the sentence. The other choices do not provide the correct finite verb form needed for the sentence.
Question 18:
The discovery of DNA’s structure by Watson and Crick in 1953 _______ the foundation for modern genetics.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) laying
B) lay
C) lays
D) laid
Correct Answer: D) laid
Explanation: The past tense verb “laid” correctly reflects the historical event and provides a finite verb form for the sentence. The other choices do not provide the correct finite verb form needed for the sentence.
Question 19:
The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 _______ the beginning of the end for the Cold War, symbolizing the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) signaled
B) signaling
C) signals
D) to signal
Correct Answer: A) signaled
Explanation: The past tense verb “signaled” correctly reflects the timing of the event and provides a finite verb form for the sentence. The other choices do not provide the correct finite verb form needed for the sentence.
Question 20:
The Industrial Revolution, which began in the 18th century, _______ a profound impact on society, economy, and technology.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) had
B) having
C) has
D) have
Correct Answer: A) had
Explanation: The past tense verb “had” correctly reflects the historical context and provides a finite verb form for the sentence. The other choices do not provide the correct finite verb form needed for the sentence.
Question 21:
The exploration of space _______ new possibilities for scientific discovery and technological advancement.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) opens
B) opening
C) opened
D) to open
Correct Answer: C) opened
Explanation: The past tense verb “opened” correctly reflects the historical event and provides a finite verb form for the sentence. The other choices do not provide the correct finite verb form needed for the sentence.
Question 22:
The discovery of fire by early humans _______ a turning point in human evolution, providing warmth, protection, and a means to cook food.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) marked
B) marks
C) marking
D) to mark
Correct Answer: A) marked
Explanation: The past tense verb “marked” correctly reflects the timing of the event and provides a finite verb form for the sentence. The other choices do not provide the correct finite verb form needed for the sentence.
Question 23:
The rise of the internet in the late 20th century _______ the way people communicate, access information, and do business.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) revolutionized
B) revolutionizing
C) revolutionize
D) to revolutionize
Correct Answer: A) revolutionized
Explanation: The past tense verb “revolutionized” correctly reflects the timing of the event and provides a finite verb form for the sentence. The other choices do not provide the correct finite verb form needed for the sentence.
Question 24:
The famous “I Have a Dream” speech by Martin Luther King Jr. _______ a powerful message of hope and equality during the Civil Rights Movement.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) delivered
B) delivering
C) delivers
D) to deliver
Correct Answer: A) delivered
Explanation: The past tense verb “delivered” correctly reflects the timing of the event and provides a finite verb form for the sentence. The other choices do not provide the correct finite verb form needed for the sentence.
Question 25:
The invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell _______ long-distance communication, making it easier for people to stay in touch.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) transformed
B) transforming
C) transforms
D) to transform
Correct Answer: A) transformed
Explanation: The past tense verb “transformed” correctly reflects the historical event and provides a finite verb form for the sentence. The other choices do not provide the correct finite verb form needed for the sentence.
Question 26:
The launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, by the Soviet Union in 1957 _______ the beginning of the space age.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) marking
B) marked
C) marks
D) to mark
Correct Answer: B) marked
Explanation: The past tense verb “marked” correctly reflects the timing of the event and provides a finite verb form for the sentence. The other choices do not provide the correct finite verb form needed for the sentence.
Question 27:
The discovery of electricity by Benjamin Franklin and other pioneers _______ the development of modern technology and industry.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) enabling
B) enable
C) enabled
D) enables
Correct Answer: C) enabled
Explanation: The past tense verb “enabled” correctly reflects the timing of the event and provides a finite verb form for the sentence. The other choices do not provide the correct finite verb form needed for the sentence.
Question 28:
The Renaissance, a period of cultural revival in Europe, _______ great advances in art, science, and literature.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) witnessing
B) witnessed
C) witness
D) to witness
Correct Answer: B) witnessed
Explanation: The past tense verb “witnessed” correctly reflects the historical context and provides a finite verb form for the sentence. The other choices do not provide the correct finite verb form needed for the sentence.
Question 29:
The construction of the Panama Canal _______ the travel time between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, greatly benefiting international trade.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) reduced
B) reducing
C) reduce
D) to reduce
Correct Answer: A) reduced
Explanation: The past tense verb “reduced” correctly reflects the historical context and provides a finite verb form for the sentence. The other choices do not provide the correct finite verb form needed for the sentence.
Question 30:
The completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 _______ the United States from coast to coast, facilitating the movement of people and goods.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A) connects
B) connecting
C) connected
D) to connect
Correct Answer: C) connected
Explanation: The past tense verb “connected” correctly reflects the historical event and provides a finite verb form for the sentence. The other choices do not provide the correct finite verb form needed for the sentence.
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