Digital SAT Reading and Writing Practice Question #1195
Test your problem-solving accuracy on this official-caliber item. Select an answer choice to check your reasoning instantly.
Consider whether the phrase 'the Austrian physicist Erwin Schrödinger' functions as a single, non-essential appositive identifying 'Another pivotal figure.' How should non-essential appositives be punctuated?
When a descriptive title or phrase directly precedes a proper noun (e.g., 'the author J.K. Rowling'), is a comma typically used between the description and the name?
⚡ Hack the Test speed shortcut: Use the 'removability test' and the 'single unit' rule. 1. **Removability Test:** Can you remove the entire phrase 'the Austrian physicist Erwin Schrödinger' and still have a grammatically sound sentence? 'Another pivotal figure developed the wave equation...' Yes. This indicates that the phrase is a non-essential appositive and must be set off by commas. Therefore, there *must* be a comma after 'Schrödinger' (before 'developed'). This immediately eliminates options A and D. 2. **Single Unit Rule:** When a descriptive title or phrase (like 'the Austrian physicist') directly precedes a proper name (like 'Erwin Schrödinger') and functions as a single identifying unit, *do not* place a comma between the description and the name. Think 'Doctor Smith,' not 'Doctor, Smith.' This rule tells you there should *not* be a comma after 'physicist.' This eliminates options B and D. Combining these two insights (no comma after 'physicist' and a comma after 'Schrödinger') leaves only Option C as the correct choice.
The original sentence contains an appositive phrase that requires correct punctuation. An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames another noun right beside it. Appositives can be essential (restrictive) or non-essential (non-restri...
Distractor Analysis: Trap choice eliminates careless test-takers who confuse roots with coordinates...
Unlock Full Solution & 2,600+ Official Drills
Access detailed Socratic steps, trap breakdowns, authentic timed module simulations, and Desmos speed hacks for just $9.99/mo.
Geological surveys of the Afar Depression in East Africa documented active volcanic rifting and continental crust thinni...
The Arctic region is warming at a rate significantly faster than the global average, a phenomenon known as Arctic amplif...
In a study investigating Renaissance fresco painting techniques (Case 5), researchers focused on buon fresco wet plaster...
If an author wishes to engage modern readers, ______ must craft characters with psychological complexity. Which choice c...