Question

A) NO CHANGE B) Diouf former Director-General C) Diouf former Director-General, D) Diouf, former Director-General,

Short answer

The correct sentence structure is Option D) Diouf, former Director-General, as it properly uses commas to set off the title from the person's name, providing clarity and accuracy.

Step-by-step solution

Option A

No change from the given sentence.

Option B

In this option, there isn't a comma before or after "former Director-General." The lack of comma usage can lead to confusion about the identity of the person in question.

Option C

This option places a comma only after "former Director-General." While this is an improvement over Option B, it is still missing the required comma before "former Director-General" to completely set off the title from the person's name.

Option D

In this option, there are commas placed both before and after "former Director-General." This correct usage of commas sets off the title from the person's name, providing the most accurate and clear sentence structure. After examining all four options, the correct choice is:

Correct Answer

Option D) Diouf, former Director-General,

Key concepts

SAT Grammer Questions

SAT grammar questions are an essential part of the Writing and Language section of the SAT. They test a student's ability to revise and edit texts across a range of content areas.

The type of grammar questions that appear on the SAT often revolve around sentence structure, conventional usage, and punctuation. Test-takers are expected to have a strong grasp of subject-verb agreement, nouns and pronouns, modifiers, verb tense consistency, parallel construction, and comma usage, among other topics. In the example provided, understanding the proper use of commas in relation to appositives is key.

One common pitfall is misunderstanding complex grammar rules or overlooking simple errors during the test. It's not just about knowing the rules; it's about applying them in practice. Therefore, students should work on plenty of practice questions that cover a wide range of grammatical issues to become confident in identifying and correcting errors.

SAT Punctuation Rules

Punctuation rules on the SAT can significantly affect the clarity and meaning of a sentence, which is why they are such an integral part of the Writing and Language section. Among the punctuation marks, commas are particularly challenging for many test-takers.

The correct use of commas includes, but is not limited to, separating items in a series, setting off nonessential clauses, and punctuating compound sentences. In our textbook example, the correct use of commas around an appositive is tested—a common SAT punctuation scenario.

Key takeaways for commas:

• Use a comma to separate an introductory word or phrase from the main part of the sentence, as in the case with setting off titles or descriptive phrases like 'former Director-General'.
• Commas are also used in pairs to set off nonessential information—this is crucial when dealing with appositives or additional information that is not critical to the core meaning of the sentence.
• Be wary of comma splices — two independent clauses joined just by a comma — and know how to properly connect them using a comma followed by a conjunction, or employ other methods like a semicolon.

Practice identifying where commas are needed or misused in different sentence structures. This will prepare students for the variety of ways commas are tested on the SAT.

SAT Test Preparation

Preparing for the SAT test requires a strategy that encompasses understanding the content, the format of the test, and the types of questions asked.

For the Writing and Language section, familiarity with the rules of standard written English is crucial. There are practical steps students can take to improve their performance:

• Practice with real test questions from official SAT practice materials to get used to the question types and difficulty level.
• Review basic grammar, usage, and punctuation rules regularly to internalize them.
• Read broadly and critically to enhance your understanding of different writing styles and contexts, which will help you in revising and editing tasks.
• Write and revise your own sentences or paragraphs to become adept in applying grammar rules and understand their impact on clarity and style.
• Time yourself while taking practice tests to improve your speed and accuracy under test conditions.

By focusing on these areas, students will build the skills needed to navigate the SAT Writing and Language section competently. It's not just about rote learning rules; it's about developing a skill set that allows for quick and effective application of those rules under the pressure of an exam environment.