SAT #20

After the United Kingdom began rolling out taxes equivalent to a few cents on single-use plastic grocery bags in 2011, plastic-bag consumption decreased by up to ninety _____ taxes are subject to what economists call the "rebound effect": as the change became normalized, plastic-bag use started to creep back up. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

• A. percent, such

• B. percent and such

• C. percent. Such

• D. percent such

Known as Earth’s “living skin,” biocrusts are thin layers of soil held together by surface-dwelling microorganisms such as fungi, lichens, and cyanobacteria. Fortifying soil in arid ecosystems against erosion, _______ Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

• a recent study’s estimate is that these crusts reduce global dust emissions by 60 percent each year.

• an estimated 60 percent reduction in global dust emissions each year is due to these crusts, according to a recent study.

• these crusts reduce global dust emissions by an estimated 60 percent each year, according to a recent study.

• a recent study has estimated that these crusts reduce global dust emissions by 60 percent each year.

In order to prevent nonnative fish species from moving freely between the Mediterranean and Red Seas, marine biologist Bella Galil has proposed that a saline lock system be installed along the Suez Canal in Egypt’s Great Bitter Lakes. The lock would increase the salinity of the lakes and ______ a natural barrier of water most marine creatures would be unable to cross. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

• creates

• create

• creating

• created

In her two major series “Memory Test” and “Autobiography,” painter Howardena Pindell explored themes _____ healing, self-discovery, and memory by cutting and sewing back together pieces of canvas and inserting personal artifacts, such as postcards, into some of the paintings.

• A. of

• B. of,

• C. of—

• D. of:

An online content creator who uses copyrighted songs without permission risks being demonetized (prohibited from including paid advertisements in content). The best way to avoid demonetization is to choose music from the public domain. Using one of these noncopyrighted songs _____ a creator won’t lose advertising revenue. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

• are ensuring

• have ensured

• ensure

• ensures