Question 181·Easy·Boundaries
Researchers initially believed the migration patterns of songbirds were ____ newly collected tracking data reveal a consistent seasonal route.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
For boundary questions, first decide whether the text on each side of the blank forms independent clauses. If the next word is a conjunctive adverb like “however,” the SAT’s standard convention is a semicolon (or period) before it and a comma after it; eliminate comma splices, colons that don’t introduce explanations/lists, and run-ons.
Hints
Check whether both sides are complete sentences
Try reading the words before the blank as a sentence, then the words after the blank as a sentence. Are both independent clauses?
Treat “however” as a conjunctive adverb
On the SAT, “however” commonly signals the pattern: semicolon before it and comma after it when it connects two complete sentences.
Watch for comma splices
If both sides are independent clauses, a comma alone is usually not enough to join them.
Match the punctuation to the relationship
Is the second clause explaining the first (colon) or contrasting with it (“however”)? Choose punctuation that fits that relationship.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the clauses on each side of the blank
Read the sentence without punctuation first:
- "Researchers initially believed the migration patterns of songbirds were random"
- "newly collected tracking data reveal a consistent seasonal route"
Each part can stand alone as a complete sentence, so you are joining two independent clauses.
Apply the rule for conjunctive adverbs
“However” is a conjunctive adverb. When it connects two independent clauses, Standard English typically uses:
- a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb, and
- a comma after it.
So you want a choice that effectively creates: "...were random; however, newly collected..."
Eliminate choices that don’t correctly join two independent clauses
- A comma before “however” creates a comma splice.
- A colon introduces an explanation/list; “however” signals contrast, not an explanation.
- No punctuation before “however” leaves a run-on between two independent clauses.
Select the choice that matches the standard pattern
Only the option with a semicolon before “however” and a comma after it correctly joins the two independent clauses.
The correct answer is random; however,.