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Question

Difficulty: Very hardMisplaced and Dangling Modifiers

In the sentence below, the introductory modifying phrase is underlined. Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence by ensuring the modifier logically describes the correct subject. Type the letter of the correct option (A, B, C, or D) in the blank.

Sentence:
Though designated as a sanctuary for endangered shorebirds, {{blank_1}}.

Options:
A. the environmental agency's new regulations only protected the northern spit of the barrier island
B. the environmental agency only protected the northern spit of the barrier island with new regulations
C. the northern spit of the barrier island was the only area protected by the environmental agency's new regulations
D. protecting the northern spit of the barrier island was the sole focus of the environmental agency's new regulations

Answer:Though designated as a sanctuary for endangered shorebirds, 【C】.

Answer

The option stating that 'the northern spit of the barrier island was the only area protected by the environmental agency's new regulations' is correct.
The option beginning with 'the northern spit of the barrier island' is correct because 'the northern spit' is the only noun that can logically be 'designated as a sanctuary for endangered shorebirds', which resolves the dangling modifier.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory modifying phrase and determine what it logically describes.
The introductory phrase is 'Though designated as a sanctuary for endangered shorebirds.' The word 'designated' indicates that the subject of the main clause must be a physical place or habitat that can be designated as a sanctuary.
An introductory participial phrase must modify the subject of the main clause that immediately follows it.
2
Analyze the subject of the main clause in each option to find the one that matches the introductory modifier.
In the option starting with 'the environmental agency's new regulations', the subject is 'regulations'. In the option starting with 'the environmental agency', the subject is 'agency'. In the option starting with 'protecting', the subject is a gerund phrase. In the option starting with 'the northern spit of the barrier island', the subject is 'the northern spit'. Only the spit of the barrier island can be designated as a sanctuary.
A sanctuary is a physical geographic area, not an agency, regulation, or action. Therefore, 'the northern spit of the barrier island' is the only logical subject.
3
Verify that the selected option is grammatically correct and free of other errors.
The sentence 'Though designated as a sanctuary for endangered shorebirds, the northern spit of the barrier island was the only area protected by the environmental agency's new regulations' is grammatically correct and logically clear.
This structure places the correct subject immediately after the comma, resolving the dangling modifier.

Key Concept

Identifying and correcting dangling modifiers by ensuring the introductory phrase modifies the correct logical subject.
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Topics

Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

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