SAT Test Prep Punctuation Review

The process of gold nugget formation is complex. As seismic waves pass through quartz veins, gold ____________ clump together, drawn by the electric field created by the mineral.

• particles;

• particles,

• particles

• particles:

Tags

Subj./Main Verb NP

Gold naturally forms in quartz when hydrothermal fluids flood its __________ the precious metal should theoretically cover the quartz evenly.

• surface,

• surface

• surface;

• surface and

Tags

IC/IC

Gold nuggets form over time through repeated seismic events. The largest nuggets ________ orogenic gold deposits can weigh up to 130 pounds, typically forming between tectonic plates that have collided to create mountain ranges.

• in

• in,

• in--

• in:

Tags

Prep/Obj NP

While geologists have known that earthquakes can produce bits of gold on _____________ exact mechanism of large nugget formation remained a mystery until recently.

• quartz. The

• quartz, the

• quartz; the

• quartz: the

Tags

DC/IC

A study published in Nature Geoscience explains how earthquakes form large gold nuggets in quartz. Apparently, the formation of gold in quartz isn't rare at all according to ____________.

• lead author Chris Voisey

• lead author, Chris Voisey

• lead author; Chris Voisey

• lead author: Chris Voisey

Tags

Title/Noun NP

The new study sheds light on a long-standing geological mystery. Over time, repeated _____________ contribute to the growth of large gold nuggets in specific areas of quartz veins.

• earthquakes--

• earthquakes

• earthquakes,

• earthquakes;

Tags

Subj./Main Verb NP

The researchers conducted experiments ________ quartz slabs submerged in gold-rich liquid to simulate natural conditions.

• with

• with,

• with--

• with:

Tags

Prep/Obj NP

During their experiments, the researchers ____________ seismic waves by placing quartz slabs in a special machine.

• mimicked

• mimicked;

• mimicked,

• mimicked--

Tags

Verb/Obj NP

Chris Voisey told _____________ that quartz acts like a natural battery, attracting more gold with each seismic event.

• journalist Tom Howarth

• journalist, Tom Howarth

• journalist Tom Howarth;

• journalist: Tom Howarth

Tags

Title/Noun NP

During the process, quartz acts as an insulator while gold behaves like a _____________ on the voltage produced by the quartz, the gold attracts more gold particles from hydrothermal liquid in the earth.

• conductor. Drawing

• conductor, drawing

• conductor drawing

• conductor; and drawing

Tags

IC/IC