Question

standardized test practice
read each passage. some sentences are underlined. the underlined portions may be one of the following:

• incorrect sentence
• correct, another sentence that should be combined
• run - on sentence
• correct, another sentence that does not need to be combined

choose the best way to write each underlined section and mark the letter for your answer on your paper. if the underlined section needs no change, mark the choice \correct as is.\
in 1884, sarah winchester began building one of the strangest homes in the world. it is in san jose, california. the enormous mansion, which took thirty years to complete, later became known as the “winchester mystery house.” when sarah bought the house, it was a modest six - room dwelling. when she was finally done with it, the house contained 160 rooms and stood five stories.
the mansion has staircases that lead nowhere, rooms within rooms, and skylights in the floors. it is difficult to understand what could have driven sarah to build such a bizarre house. in fact, no one really knows.
1
a in 1884, sarah winchester began building one of the strangest homes in the world in san jose, california.
b in 1884, sarah winchester began building one of the strangest homes in the world, in san jose, california.
c in 1884, sarah winchester began building one of the strangest homes in the world. in san jose, california.
d correct as is
2
f when she was finally done with it, the house contained 160 rooms, it stood five stories.
g when she was finally done with it, the house contained 160 rooms. and it stood five stories.
h when she was finally done with it, the house contained 160 rooms and stood five stories.
j correct as is
sam was visiting his aunt theresa in san francisco for thanksgiving. when they were in the bay area, they went to a museum. sam noticed something odd.
“look, aunt theresa!” sam said with astonishment, “that train is almost driving the train!”
aunt theresa smiled and explained that the train was actually a cable - car. when they were first built in 1972, there were frequent equipment malfunctions. there was also frequent control malfunctions. however, for the past twenty years, they had run quite well, carrying more than 200,000 passengers per day.
the train stopped. it dropped sam and his aunt at the museum.
“instead of going to the museum, lets ride the train again?” suggested sam. aunt theresa laughed and they boarded the train again.
1
a sam, visiting his aunt theresa in san francisco for thanksgiving
b sam was visiting his aunt theresa. he was in san francisco for thanksgiving
c sam was visiting his aunt theresa in san francisco, it was also for thanksgiving.
d correct as is
2
f when they were control malfunctions first built in 1972, there were frequent equipment
g when they, which were frequent equipment and control malfunctions, were first built in 1972.
h when they were first built in 1972, there were frequent equipment malfunctions, and there were also frequent control malfunctions.
1 when they were first built in 1972, frequent equipment and control malfunctions.
3
a the train stopped and dropped sam and his aunt at the museum.
b the train stopping, the train dropped sam and his aunt at the museum.
c the train stopped, and dropped sam and his aunt at the museum.
d correct as is

Explanation:

Left Passage (Sarah Winchester House)

Step1: Fix comma splice (Q1)

Original has two independent clauses joined by a comma. Option B uses a comma + conjunction correctly, or Option C splits with a period. The best correction is Option B (or C, but B is more stylistically smooth for flow).

Step2: Fix run-on sentence (Q2)

Original is a run-on. Option G splits into two proper sentences with a period and capitalization.

Step1: Fix awkward phrasing (Q1)

Original has unclear, wordy structure. Option B rephrases for clarity and grammatical flow.

Step2: Fix misplaced modifier (Q2)

Original misplaces "first built in 1972". Option H correctly places the modifier and splits run-on clauses.

Step3: Fix comma splice (Q3)

Original joins two independent clauses with a comma. Option C splits into two proper sentences.

Answer:

1. B. In 1884, Sarah Winchester began building one of the strangest homes in the world, in San Jose, California.
2. G. When she was finally done with it, the house contained 160 rooms. And it stood five stories.

---

Right Passage (Sam & Aunt Theresa)