Question 46·Hard·Boundaries
In the field of statistics, the term "outlier" refers to a data point that differs markedly from the rest of the data set, but there is another term the discipline uses for a related phenomenon that is equally _____.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
For SAT punctuation-boundary questions, always test whether the words before and after the punctuation are complete sentences. Then recall the core rules: periods and semicolons should have a full sentence on each side; colons require a complete sentence before them and then introduce an explanation, list, or specific example; commas cannot join two full sentences on their own and should not separate a complete idea from a single-word explanation in this pattern. Quickly match the sentence structure to these rules to eliminate wrong choices and select the punctuation that fits the logical relationship between the parts.
Hints
Is the part before the blank a full sentence?
Read from the beginning up to the blank and ask: does it have a subject and verb, and does it express a complete thought on its own?
What is the job of the word after the blank?
Think about what "leverage" is doing in the sentence. Is it adding a new sentence, or is it naming or clarifying something that was just mentioned?
Match the relationship to a punctuation mark
Once you know that the first part is a complete idea and the second part names or explains something in that idea, which punctuation mark is normally used after a full sentence to introduce a specific example or clarification?
Step-by-step Explanation
Check the structure before and after the blank
Read up to the blank: "In the field of statistics, the term 'outlier' refers to a data point that differs markedly from the rest of the data set, but there is another term the discipline uses for a related phenomenon that is equally important".
This part has a subject ("there" / "another term") and a verb ("is") and expresses a complete thought. It can stand as a full sentence on its own.
After the blank, we just have the single word "leverage," which is the name of that "other term." It is not a full sentence by itself.
Decide what relationship the punctuation must show
The word "leverage" is identifying or naming the "other term" mentioned before the blank. So the punctuation has to:
- Come after a complete sentence, and
- Introduce a specific term that explains or clarifies what was just said.
That is the pattern of “complete idea → explanation/example/name.”
Match that relationship to the correct type of punctuation
Now compare what each punctuation mark normally does:
- A period ends a sentence and starts a new one; the next part should also be a full sentence and usually start with a capital letter.
- A semicolon joins two closely related complete sentences (independent clauses).
- A comma cannot normally separate a full sentence from a single-word explanation that comes after it in this way.
- A colon follows a complete sentence and introduces an explanation, example, or specific item that completes or clarifies the idea.
Here, we have a full statement followed by a single word that names the term, which fits the colon use.
Choose the answer that correctly uses punctuation
We need the option that places a colon between the complete idea and the specific term that explains it.
That choice is "important: leverage" (Option D).