Question 238·Easy·Boundaries
During the workshop, participants practiced various mindfulness _____ and they used them to reduce stress.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
For boundaries questions, first mark whether the words before and after the blank form independent clauses. If you see a coordinating conjunction (for example, "and") starting the second clause, the standard SAT pattern is independent clause + comma + conjunction + independent clause. Avoid semicolons before a conjunction and reserve colons for introducing lists or explanations.
Hints
Look for complete sentences on both sides
Check whether you have a complete sentence (subject + verb) before the blank and another complete sentence after the word "and."
Use the "comma + and" rule
If "and" is joining two independent clauses, the standard punctuation is a comma right before "and."
Be cautious with semicolons and colons
A semicolon usually is not followed immediately by a coordinating conjunction like "and," and a colon is usually used to introduce a list or explanation, not to set up "and" + a new clause.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the clauses
Read the sentence with the blank:
"During the workshop, participants practiced various mindfulness _____ and they used them to reduce stress."
- Before the blank: "During the workshop, participants practiced various mindfulness techniques" has a subject (participants) and a verb (practiced), so it is an independent clause.
- After "and": "they used them to reduce stress" also has a subject (they) and a verb (used), so it is another independent clause.
Apply the rule for joining independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction
When two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction like "and," standard convention is:
- independent clause, comma + and + independent clause
So the punctuation at the blank should be a comma.
Eliminate the other punctuation options
- A semicolon is used to join independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction immediately following it.
- A colon typically introduces a list or explanation; it is not used right before "and" to join two independent clauses.
- A dash can indicate an abrupt break or emphasis, but it is not the standard way to punctuate two independent clauses joined by "and" on the SAT.
Choose the correct option
The sentence should read: "During the workshop, participants practiced various mindfulness techniques, and they used them to reduce stress."
Therefore, the correct answer is techniques,.