Question 124·200 Super-Hard SAT Reading Questions·Standard English Conventions
The endangered swift parrot not only undertakes one of the longest migrations of any parrot species, but it also faces a host of _____ logging of its breeding habitat, predation by introduced species, and fierce competition for nesting sites.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
On punctuation items, first determine whether the words around the blank are complete clauses or added detail. Words like "including," "such as," or "for example" usually introduce nonessential examples that are attached with a comma, not with a semicolon, colon-plus-"including," or a period that would create a fragment.
Hints
Notice what comes after the blank
Look at the words right after the blank: they list specific things (logging, predation, competition). How do these relate to the "host of threats" mentioned just before the blank?
Focus on the word "including"
The word "including" is used to introduce examples. Ask yourself: are these examples part of the same sentence as the main idea, or should they start a new sentence?
Match punctuation to structure
Think about what usually comes on each side of a semicolon, colon, period, and comma. Which punctuation mark is typically used to attach extra, nonessential information (like examples) to the end of a sentence without requiring a full sentence after it?
Step-by-step Explanation
See what the blank connects
Up to "faces a host of threats," the sentence is complete. The words after the blank ("logging of its breeding habitat, predation by introduced species, and fierce competition for nesting sites") are examples of those threats.
Classify the "including" phrase
The phrase beginning with "including" is a nonessential modifier that adds examples. It should be attached smoothly to the main clause rather than starting a new sentence or requiring a full independent clause after it.
Match punctuation to structure
- Semicolon (;) typically joins two independent clauses.
- Colon (:) follows a complete thought to introduce a list or explanation; it directly introduces the items.
- Period (.) ends a sentence; what follows must be a complete sentence.
- Comma (,) commonly sets off nonessential modifiers and example-giving phrases introduced by words like "including."
Choose the punctuation
Because the "including" phrase is extra information that names examples of the threats, it should be set off with a comma: "...faces a host of threats, including logging of its breeding habitat, predation by introduced species, and fierce competition for nesting sites." The correct choice is "threats, including."