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Quizzes > Literature & Language > English & Grammar

SAT Section 5 Quiz: Are You Ready to Ace It?

Think you can ace section 5 on SAT? Let's find out!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art of books and quiz icons on coral background for free SAT Section 5 critical reading and grammar quiz

This SAT Section 5 quiz helps you practice critical reading and grammar so you can spot gaps before test day. Answer realistic questions at your own pace, see where you slip, and tighten your approach. Want more? Try a quick Section 5 warm-up or go deeper with critical reading practice .

The results of the experiment ____ unexpected insights into the process.
reveals
reveal
revealing
revealed
The subject "results" is plural, so it requires the plural present-tense verb "reveal." Using "reveals" or "revealed" would create a subject-verb agreement error or change the intended tense. For more on agreement rules, see .
Which option correctly punctuates the introductory phrase in this sentence? "After the concert the band received praise."
After the concert the band, received praise.
After the concert; the band received praise.
After, the concert the band received praise.
After the concert, the band received praise.
Introductory phrases like "After the concert" should be followed by a comma to separate them from the main clause. A semicolon or misplaced comma would disrupt the flow. For guidance on introductory commas, see .
Each of the students must submit ____ essay by Friday.
our
their
its
his or her
"Each" is singular, so it needs a singular pronoun. "His or her" agrees in number. Using "their" is a common colloquial shortcut but is not standard in formal writing. See .
Which form correctly shows possession? "The ____ cover was torn."
childs
child's
childrens'
childrens
To indicate singular possession, add an apostrophe and "s." "Child's" correctly shows that one child owns the cover. For more on possessive apostrophes, see .
Choose the correct punctuation to fix this run-on sentence: "She wanted to attend the meeting she had a conflict."
She wanted to attend the meeting, she had a conflict.
She wanted to attend the meeting; she had a conflict.
She wanted to attend the meeting - she had a conflict.
She wanted to attend the meeting. she had a conflict.
A semicolon correctly separates two independent clauses without creating a comma splice. A period would require capitalizing the second clause, and a dash changes the tone. For more on semicolons, see .
He performed _____ than he expected on the exam.
good
better
well
best
The comparative form "better" correctly compares his performance to expectations. "Good" is an adjective, not an adverb, and "best" is the superlative. For more on comparatives, see .
Which choice shows correct parallel structure? "She enjoys _____."
to dance, singing, and swimming
to dance, to sing, and swimming
dancing, singing, and swimming
dancing, singing, and to swim
All items in a list must share the same form. Here, three gerunds ("dancing," "singing," "swimming") create correct parallelism. See .
Identify the revision that corrects the misplaced modifier: "Running quickly to catch the bus, the backpack slipped off John's shoulder."
The backpack slipped off John's shoulder as he ran quickly to catch the bus.
Running quickly to catch the bus, John felt his backpack slip off his shoulder.
Running quickly to catch the bus, the backpack fell off John's shoulder.
John's backpack slipped off his shoulder running quickly to catch the bus.
The correct revision puts John as the subject performing the action, avoiding the dangling modifier. It clearly links the action to John rather than the backpack. For more on misplaced modifiers, see .
The weather forecast predicted sunshine; ____, a sudden storm rolled in.
consequently
however
moreover
therefore
"However" signals a contrast between the expected sunshine and the actual storm. "Therefore" or "consequently" would imply cause and effect, which doesn't fit here. See .
Combine these sentences for concision: "The novel was published in 1920. It quickly became a bestseller."
Published in 1920; the novel quickly became a bestseller.
In 1920 the novel was published and quickly became a bestseller.
The novel, published in 1920, quickly became a bestseller.
The novel was published in 1920 and it quickly became a bestseller.
Using a reduced adjective phrase ("published in 1920") eliminates the need for a separate clause and creates a concise sentence. For strategies on concision, see .
If she ____ the instructions, she would not have made that mistake.
followed
have followed
had followed
follows
This third-conditional sentence requires the past perfect tense ("had followed") in the if-clause. It expresses a hypothetical past condition. See .
Choose the active-voice revision: "The theory was proposed by Dr. Smith in 2010."
The theory had been proposed by Dr. Smith in 2010.
The theory, which was proposed by Dr. Smith in 2010, gained acceptance.
In 2010, Dr. Smith proposed the theory.
Dr. Smith's proposal of the theory occurred in 2010.
Shifting the agent ("Dr. Smith") to the subject position and using the active verb "proposed" makes the sentence active voice. For more, see .
Which option corrects the faulty comparison? "My car is more reliable than Jim."
My car is more reliable than Jim.
My car is more reliable than Jim does.
My car is more reliable than Jim's car.
My car is more reliable as Jim's car.
Comparisons must be parallel; you cannot compare a car to a person. Adding "car" after Jim makes the comparison logical. See .
Eliminate redundancy: "In my opinion, I think that we should leave now."
In my opinion, I think we should leave now.
I think that we should leave now.
We should leave now.
In my opinion, we should leave now because I think so.
"We should leave now" conveys the same idea without unnecessary phrases. Both "in my opinion" and "I think" are redundant. For tips on concision, see .
Place 'nearly' correctly: "She drove her car for five hours straight without rest."
She nearly drove her car for five hours straight without rest.
Nearly she drove her car for five hours straight without rest.
She drove her car nearly for five hours straight without rest.
She drove her car for nearly five hours straight without rest.
"Nearly" should modify the duration ("five hours"), not the action of driving. Placing it before "five hours" is correct. For modifier placement, see .
Choose the correct use of a colon: "She needs two items bread, milk, and eggs."
She needs two items, bread, milk, and eggs.
She needs two items; bread, milk, and eggs.
She needs two items: bread, milk, and eggs.
She needs two items - bread, milk, and eggs.
A colon is used to introduce a list after an independent clause. A semicolon or dash changes the intended structure. For details on colon usage, see .
Which sentence best introduces a contrasting viewpoint after praising urban development?
Despite these economic benefits, critics warn that rapid urban expansion can harm local ecosystems.
The success of urban projects depends on funding and public support.
Urban development has boosted local economies and improved infrastructure.
Urban planners continue to seek ways to balance growth with sustainability.
The correct sentence uses "Despite" to signal a clear contrast with the previous praise and introduces the opposing environmental concern. For more on rhetorical transitions, see .
Where is the best placement for the following sentence in a paragraph about public health? "Regular exercise contributes significantly to mental well-being."
At the very end, as the concluding statement.
In the middle, following a detailed explanation of diet alone.
As the opening sentence, before any discussion of health.
After describing physical benefits, to introduce a new point on mental health.
Introducing this sentence after discussing physical benefits creates a logical shift to mental health, maintaining coherence. Placing it at the start or end would disrupt the flow. See .
Combine these sentences using an appositive phrase: "Marie Curie won two Nobel Prizes. She was a pioneering scientist."
A pioneering scientist, Marie Curie and she won two Nobel Prizes.
Marie Curie won two Nobel Prizes, and she was a pioneering scientist.
Marie Curie was a pioneering scientist who won two Nobel Prizes.
Marie Curie, a pioneering scientist, won two Nobel Prizes.
An appositive phrase ("a pioneering scientist") directly follows the noun it renames, creating a concise sentence. For appositives, see .
Select the sentence that correctly uses the subjunctive mood.
If I am the mayor, I would invest more in public transit.
If I were the mayor, I would invest more in public transit.
If I was the mayor, I would invest more in public transit.
If I had been the mayor, I will invest more in public transit.
The subjunctive mood for hypothetical situations in the present uses "were" for all subjects. "If I were" correctly expresses the hypothetical. See .
Which choice best replaces the informal word in this sentence? "The kids were thrilled by the surprise announcement."
ladies
participants
young attendees
children
"Children" is more formal and appropriate for academic writing, replacing the colloquial "kids." See .
What is the primary purpose of the anecdote about the rescued dog in an essay about volunteerism?
To provide a humorous aside.
To illustrate the positive impact of caring actions.
To critique pet adoption practices.
To distract with an unrelated story.
The anecdote serves to exemplify how volunteer efforts can change lives, reinforcing the essay's theme. It is not intended as humor or distraction. For analyzing purpose, see .
Choose the option that corrects the parallel structure error: "They want to improve safety, to reduce costs, and an easier workflow."
They want to improve safety, reduce costs, and create an easier workflow.
They want improving safety, to reduce costs, and to create an easier workflow.
They want improving safety, reducing costs, and an easier workflow.
They want to improve safety, reduce costs, and easier workflow.
All items in the list should share the same infinitive form: "to improve," "to reduce," "to create." The correct answer preserves parallelism. See .
Which revision eliminates the awkward repetition? "The proposal was innovative, because it was something new."
The proposal was innovative, because it was new.
Because it was new, the proposal was innovative.
The proposal was new and innovative.
The proposal was innovative because it offered new solutions.
Replacing "something new" with a specific description ("offered new solutions") removes redundancy and adds clarity. See .
In the sentence "The committee's decision - controversial at first - ultimately led to improved outcomes," what is the function of the dashes?
To set off a parenthetical phrase that adds explanatory detail.
To denote omission of words.
To indicate an abrupt change in thought.
To introduce a direct quotation.
Dashes here enclose a parenthetical phrase ("controversial at first") that provides additional context. They are not indicating omission or quotations. For more on dashes, see .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Analyze sat section 5 question formats -

    Recognize the critical reading and grammar question types you'll face in section 5 on the SAT, enabling you to approach each prompt with confidence.

  2. Apply grammar and usage rules -

    Use standard conventions in punctuation, sentence structure, and syntax to tackle section 5 of the SAT questions accurately and effectively.

  3. Interpret passage-based reading questions -

    Evaluate arguments, infer meanings, and assess evidence in short passages to excel in section 5 sat reading challenges.

  4. Implement time management strategies -

    Practice pacing techniques tailored for section 5 on SAT to ensure you complete all questions within the allotted time.

  5. Assess performance with real SAT questions -

    Analyze your quiz results to identify strengths and weaknesses in section 5 of the SAT and guide your targeted study efforts.

  6. Build confidence for test day -

    Gain familiarity with sat section 5 format through realistic, scored practice that boosts your readiness and reduces exam anxiety.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Subject-Verb Agreement Mastery -

    Ensure singular subjects pair with singular verbs and plurals with plurals, e.g., "The data are important" vs. "The datum is important." According to the College Board, maintaining this rule is crucial in section 5 of the SAT to prevent basic errors. A simple tip is to locate the true subject and ignore intervening phrases like "along with."

  2. Pronoun Clarity & Agreement -

    Verify each pronoun clearly matches its antecedent in number and gender to avoid ambiguity. Purdue OWL notes that ambiguous pronouns can cost points in sat section 5 by confusing readers. Use the mnemonic "ANTs" (Antecedent Next to Sentence) to keep referents obvious.

  3. Punctuation Precision -

    Master comma, semicolon, and colon rules - commas join coordinate items, semicolons connect related independent clauses, and colons introduce lists. The College Board emphasizes correct punctuation in section 5 SAT questions to clarify sentence meaning. A handy trick: use "FANBOYS" to spot where conjunctions may need a preceding comma.

  4. Parallel Structure & Rhythm -

    Ensure lists, comparisons, and paired ideas use the same grammatical form (e.g., "writing, reading, and editing" vs. "writing, to read, and editing"). Research in the Journal of Writing Studies shows that parallelism boosts clarity and flow on the Writing and Language Test. Read sentences aloud - uneven rhythm often signals a parallelism error you can correct.

  5. Rhetorical Strategy & Cohesion -

    Identify the author's tone, purpose, and transitional cues to improve passage coherence. According to College Board guidelines, section 5 of the SAT tests how you reorganize, revise, and match style across paragraphs. Practice with real sample passages, focusing on clear topic sentences and effective paragraph transitions.

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