(C) uses STOP punctuation followed by the conjunction but, which makes the second part of the
sentence an incomplete idea. Eliminate (C). Choice (A) is the correct answer.
7. C Notice the punctuation changing in the answer choices. The idea ending with broke is a
complete idea. The idea that follows, beginning with on top of that, is also a complete idea.
Look for answer choices with STOP punctuation. Choice (A) has no punctuation; eliminate (A).
Choice (B) has a comma, but a comma without one of the FANBOYS is not able to separate
complete ideas; eliminate (B). Choice (C) has a period, and (D) has a semicolon, which are
both acceptable forms of punctuation for separating complete ideas. However, (D) includes an
unnecessary comma after top, so eliminate (D). The correct answer is (C).
8. C Notice the wording and the use of an apostrophe changing in the answer choices, which
indicates that the question is testing possession. When using the phrase the work of, possession
is already accounted for, and an apostrophe is not needed in psychologists. Eliminate (A) and
(D). When using the phrase psychologists work, the apostrophe is necessary; eliminate (B).
Choice (C) is the correct answer.
9. D Notice the placement of commas changing in the answer choices; this question is testing comma
rules. The commas in the answer choices are placed after the word tasks and/or after the
number 10. The phrase those learned before the age of about 10 is unnecessary information.
The answer choice consistent with unnecessary information must have commas before and after
the phrase. Therefore, (D) is the correct answer.
- B The first change in the answer choices is between your and you’re, so the question is testing
possession. Your is a possessive pronoun, while you’re is a contraction for you are. The
possessive form is consistent with the meaning of the sentence. Eliminate (C) and (D). Choice
(A) includes apostrophes on the words washers and dryers, which implies possession. This is
not consistent with the meaning of the sentence. Eliminate (A). Choice (B) is correct.
11. D Notice the punctuation changing in the answer choices. The idea preceding the punctuation
change, While the battle of man against machine rages on, is not a complete idea. Therefore,
eliminate any answer choices using punctuation consistent with complete ideas. Eliminate (A)
and (B). A dash must follow a complete idea, so eliminate (C). Choice (D) is the correct
answer.
