Tip #17: Conventions of standard english Principle 4: Trace Referents Strategically

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 Core Rules:

    Subject/Object Agreement: Match pronouns to their antecedents in number (singular/plural) and function (subject/object).
    Reflexives: Use -self pronouns only if the subject acts on itself (They hurt themselves).
    Demonstratives: This/that = singular; these/those = plural.
    Possessives: Distinguish plural nouns (students) from possessive nouns (students’).

 
1. Subject Pronoun Agreement
Passage (62 words):
The migration patterns of monarch butterflies, which span thousands of miles across North America, fascinate scientists because _______ defy traditional insect behavior. Recent tracking studies reveal that individual butterflies rely on a combination of genetic programming and environmental cues to navigate.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. they
B. it
C. this
D. that
Answer: A ("they" refers to plural "monarch butterflies.")
Strategy:

    Step 1: Antecedent = "monarch butterflies" (plural).
    Step 2: Eliminate singular pronouns (it/this/that).



2. Reflexive Pronoun
Passage (58 words):
During the experiment, the robots programmed to perform complex surgeries demonstrated that _______ could adjust to unexpected complications without human intervention. This capability, once thought impossible for machines, marks a breakthrough in autonomous medical technology
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. itself
B. themselves
C. them
D. it
Answer: B ("themselves" matches plural "robots" and reflects self-action.)
Strategy:

    Step 1: Subject = "robots" (plural).
    Step 2: Reflexive needed (adjust to complications implies self-action).



3. Demonstrative Pronoun
Passage (60 words):
Medieval alchemists sought to transform base metals into gold, a pursuit rooted in both mysticism and early chemistry. _______ were often secretive about their methods, fearing theft or persecution, yet their experiments laid the groundwork for modern metallurgy.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
 
A. This
B. That
C. These
D. Those
Answer: D ("Those" refers to plural "alchemists" and emphasizes historical distance.)
Strategy:

    Step 1: Antecedent = "alchemists" (plural).
    Step 2: Those implies temporal separation (medieval vs. modern).



4. Possessive Noun
Passage (65 words):
The debate over standardized testing often centers on _______ impact on student creativity. While proponents argue that tests provide accountability, critics contend that they prioritize rote memorization over critical thinking skills.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. their
B. its
C. it’s
D. the tests
Answer: B ("its" refers to singular "standardized testing.")
Strategy:

    Step 1: Antecedent = "testing" (singular).
    Step 2: Possessive needed → its (not it’s or plural their).



5. Ambiguous Antecedent
Passage (70 words):
When the orchestra performed Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, _______ interpretation of the final movement was praised for its emotional intensity. Critics noted that the conductor’s decision to use a slower tempo heightened the sense of triumph.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. their
B. its
C. his
D. the musicians’
Answer: B ("its" refers to singular "orchestra" as a collective unit.)
Strategy:

    Step 1: Collective noun = singular (orchestra).
    Step 2: SAT prefers singular pronouns for collective nouns acting as one.



Post-Task Assessments

    Quick Drill:
        The jury reached _______ verdict after deliberating for ten hours.
            A. their
            B. its
            C. it’s
            D. the jurors’
            Answer: B ("jury" as a unit = singular its.)
    Error Analysis:
        Incorrect: Every applicant must submit _______ materials by the deadline.
            Wrong: his or her (outdated for SAT).
            Correct: their (singular they).



Key Reflections

    One Blank Only: SAT grammar questions never test multiple blanks.
    Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement:
        Singular subjects (team, jury) → it/its.
        Plural subjects (members, players) → they/their.
    Reflexives: Only use if the subject acts on itself (The cat groomed itself).
    Demonstratives:
        This/that = singular.
        These/those = plural + distance.

Pro Tip: For collective nouns, ask: Is the group acting as one? If yes, use singular (its).


Final Challenge Question
Passage (75 words):
The discovery of microbial life in Antarctica’s subglacial lakes has revolutionized astrobiology, as _______ suggests that organisms can survive in extreme environments analogous to those on Mars. Scientists caution, however, that further research is needed to determine whether these microbes are truly indigenous or were introduced by human activity.
A. they
B. it
C. this
D. such a finding
Answer: B ("it" refers to singular "discovery.")
Strategy:

    Step 1: Subject = "discovery" (singular).
    Step 2: They/this would incorrectly refer to "microbes" or the whole clause.