Question 178·200 Super-Hard SAT Reading Questions·Standard English Conventions
Because the scientific advisory panel _____ a number of specialists in fields as diverse as climatology, epidemiology, and economics, its recommendations carry considerable weight among policymakers.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
For Standard English sentence-completion questions, first locate the subject and decide if it is singular or plural to check subject–verb agreement quickly. Then read the full sentence with each option and eliminate any choice that creates a fragment, a mismatch in number, or an awkward/nonstandard idiom. When two options feel close, prefer the simpler, more direct, active, and commonly accepted form in formal written English, since the SAT tests standard edited usage rather than casual speech.
Hints
Focus on the subject
Identify the main subject of the sentence. Is it singular or plural? Your verb choice must match that.
Check for a complete verb
Make sure the sentence has a clear main verb after the word “panel.” Does any option leave the sentence sounding incomplete or like a fragment?
Compare similar-sounding options carefully
Two choices use very similar wording with the same root verb. Think about which form is the more straightforward, active, and standard in formal written English.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the subject and its number
Find the main subject of the sentence: “the scientific advisory panel”. This is a single panel, so it is singular. Any main verb that goes with this subject must also be singular (like is, has, comprises), not plural (like are, have, comprise).
Check subject–verb agreement in each option
Plug each choice into the sentence and focus on agreement:
- A) is comprised of → main verb is is (singular), so agreement is OK.
- B) comprises → singular verb, so agreement is OK.
- C) are composed of → main verb is are (plural), which does not agree with the singular panel.
- D) composed of → there is no helping verb (like is or are), so this leaves the sentence without a proper finite verb.
At this point, you can eliminate C and D for agreement/completeness issues and keep A and B to compare further.
Check for a complete, well-formed clause
The sentence needs a complete thought: Because the scientific advisory panel ____ a number of specialists ..., its recommendations carry considerable weight...
- With “are composed of”, the verb does not agree, so the clause is grammatically off.
- With “composed of” by itself, you get a fragment: Because the scientific advisory panel composed of a number of specialists... — missing a main verb like is.
This confirms C and D cannot be correct; only A and B produce complete clauses.
Choose the standard, idiomatic expression
Now compare the two remaining choices, “is comprised of” and “comprises”. On the SAT, the preferred and most standard form is the active construction where the subject comprises (meaning includes or consists of) its parts. The passive-style “is comprised of” is widely considered less formal and nonstandard in careful edited English.
Therefore, the best answer that follows standard written conventions is B) comprises.