Digital SAT Reading and Writing Practice Question #1196
Test your problem-solving accuracy on this official-caliber item. Select an answer choice to check your reasoning instantly.
Consider whether the descriptive phrase 'the first Earth-size planet found in the habitable zone of another star' is essential or non-essential information about 'Kepler-186f.' Does the sentence need this phrase to identify which planet is being discussed?
Remember that non-essential phrases, including appositives, are typically set off by commas. If such a phrase appears in the middle of a sentence, it requires a comma both before and after it.
⚡ Hack the Test speed shortcut: When you encounter a proper noun (like a specific name of a person, place, or object) followed by a descriptive phrase, immediately suspect a non-essential appositive. Non-essential appositives are almost always set off by commas on both sides if they appear in the middle of a sentence. Look for the option that adds the missing comma(s) to create this 'comma-phrase-comma' structure. Also, be wary of options that introduce unnecessary words like 'that was' or 'which is,' as SAT often favors concise appositive constructions over wordier relative clauses.
The core issue in this sentence is the correct punctuation of an appositive phrase. An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames or explains another noun right beside it. In the given sentence, 'Kepler-186f' is a specific proper noun...
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