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Difficulty: MediumModifier Placement

In the late nineteenth century, the invention of steel-frame construction revolutionized urban architecture. By distributing the weight of the building to a metal grid, heavy masonry walls were no longer needed by architects to support upper floors. This innovation allowed structures to rise to unprecedented heights, paving the way for the modern skyline.

Which of the following is the best replacement for the underlined portion of the passage?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. B
    the steel frame, along with new elevator designs, eliminate the need for heavy masonry walls to support upper floors.
  3. C
    the steel frame eliminated the need for heavy masonry walls, this allowed for much taller structures.
  4. the steel frame eliminated the need for heavy masonry walls to support upper floors.Answer

Answer

the steel frame eliminated the need for heavy masonry walls to support upper floors.
The correct option resolves the dangling modifier by placing the logical subject 'the steel frame' immediately after the comma. This ensures that the introductory phrase 'By distributing the weight of the building to a metal grid' correctly modifies 'the steel frame' rather than 'heavy masonry walls.'

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the action in the introductory modifying phrase: 'By distributing the weight of the building to a metal grid'.
The action requires a subject that is capable of distributing weight.
An introductory modifier must logically modify the subject that immediately follows the comma.
2
Analyze the subject of the main clause in the original sentence: 'heavy masonry walls'.
Heavy masonry walls cannot distribute the weight of the building; instead, the grid or steel frame does this.
This is a dangling modifier error, meaning the original sentence must be changed.
3
Evaluate the choices to locate a logical subject that should follow the introductory phrase.
The correct subject is 'the steel frame'. This rules out the option keeping the original phrasing.
Placing 'the steel frame' immediately after the comma ensures the modifier correctly describes the subject.
4
Check the remaining options for grammatical errors like subject-verb agreement and comma splices.
The option using the plural verb 'eliminate' with 'the steel frame' is incorrect due to subject-verb agreement, and the option containing two independent clauses joined by only a comma is a comma splice.
The final selection must be entirely free of grammar and punctuation errors.

Key Concept

Modifier Placement
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Topics

Modifier Placement

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