Fix these non-essential clauses
The cesium fountain atomic clock the most precise form of timekeeper available is expected to become inaccurate by less than a single second over the next 50 million years.
The cesium fountain atomic clock, the most precise form of timekeeper available, is expected to become inaccurate by less than a single second over the next 50 million years.
New Zealand one of the last lands to be settled by humans developed distinctive animal and plant life during its long isolation.
New Zealand, one of the last lands to be settled by humans, developed distinctive animal and plant life during its long isolation.
In fact, certain species such as the carnivorous pitcher plant are found nowhere else on the earth.
No change - The phrase appears to be non-essential, but without it, the sentence wouldn't make sense.
If a sentence still makes sense when a clause is crossed out, _____ must be placed around that clause.
two commas
The presence of two commas in a sentence automatically signals a non-essential clause.
False
see example on page 116
Frank Gehry's buildings critics agree are among the most important examples of contemporary architecture found in the United States.
Frank Gehry's buildings, critics agree, are among the most important examples of contemporary architecture found in the United States.
Forensic biology the application of biology to law enforcement has been used to identify illegal products from endangered species and investigate bird collisions with wind turbines.
Forensic biology, the application of biology to law enforcement, has been used to identify illegal products from endangered species and investigate bird collisions with wind turbines.
With about $359 billion spent on training globally in 2016 - more than 20% more than was spent just five years earlier, businesses are investing more and more in improving their staff's skills.
Change
The beginning of the phrase is set off with a dash, so a dash must be used to mark the end of the phrase as well.
Non-essential elements (words, phrases, and clauses0 can be removed from a sentence without affecting its _________.
essential meaning or grammatical structure.
Many if not most of the non-essential clauses you are asked to work with on the SAT will be constructed using commas.
True
see page 119
The most common types of coral which are usually found in clear, shallow waters require sunlight in order to grow.
The most common types of coral, which are usually found in clear, shallow waters, require sunlight in order to grow.
Human computers who once performed basic numerical analysis for laboratories were behind the calculations for everything from the first accurate prediction of the return of Halley's Comet to the success of the Manhattan Project.
Human computers, who once performed basic numerical analysis for laboratories, were behind the calculations for everything from the first accurate prediction of the return of Halley's Comet to the success of the Manhattan Project.
Normally, customers have one year from the purchase date to return unwanted or defective goods; however, customers, who make purchases on February 29th, have four years to return their items.
Change
No commas are necessary since the clause is essential at it specifies which customers - those who made purchases on February 29th as opposed to any other customers.
As a general rule, either commas or parentheses should be used around _____________ clauses. Because these two types of punctuation signal _________ information, it is redundant to use both.
non-essential
non-essential
In addition to the use of commas, non-essential clauses can also be set off by dashes and parentheses.
True
see page 119
Used in some martial arts, the Red Belt one of several colored belts intended to denote a practitioner's skill level and rank originated in Japan and Korea.
Used in some martial arts, the Red Belt, one of several colored belts intended to denote a practitioner's skill level and rank, originated in Japan and Korea.
The wingspan of the monarch butterfly a species commonly mistaken for the similar-looking viceroy butterfly ranges from 8.9 to 10.2 centimeters.
The wingspan of the monarch butterfly, a species commonly mistaken for the similar-looking viceroy butterfly, ranges from 8.9 to 10.2 centimeters.
In the past, journalists, who wanted to obtain aerial shots of events to accompany their stories, were forced to rely on conventional helicopters, which often flew too high to capture detailed images.
Change
The clause is not talking about journalists in general, as two commas would imply, but rather about a specific group of journalists,: those who wanted to obtain aerial shots to accompany their stories. The information is necessary, so no commas should be used.
Clauses beginning with that are always _________ to the meaning of a sentence.
essential
The most important thing to know is that either two commas, two dashes, or two parentheses should be used - you cannot mix and match.
True
Testing animal cognition is tricky, and comparing and contrasting across species lines especially when distinct species-specific tests are used in particularly challenging.
Testing animal cognition is tricky, and comparing and contrasting across species lines, especially when distinct species-specific tests are used, in particularly challenging.
Some traditional assumptions about how to treat jellyfish stings have recently been called into question: rinsing the affected areas with seawater for example only spreads the stings to a larger area.
Some traditional assumptions about how to treat jellyfish stings have recently been called into question: rinsing the affected areas with seawater, for example, only spreads the stings to a larger area.
In November 1895, German physicist Wilhelm Roentgen accidently discovered an image created by rays emanating from a vacuum tube.
No change
Clauses beginning with who can be either _______ or __________.
essential or non-essential
Names and titles can be either essential or non-essential.
True