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Question

Difficulty: MediumModifier Placement

The following passage is from an essay about Indian architectural history.

In the early eighteenth century, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II constructed the Jantar Mantar, a collection of nineteen architectural astronomical instruments in Jaipur, India. Featuring the world's largest stone sundial, the Maharaja designed these structures to observe astronomical positions with the naked eye. Today, the site remains a testament to the scientific innovations of Mughal-era India.

Which of the following options represents the most grammatically correct revision of the underlined portion of the passage?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. Featuring the world's largest stone sundial, these structures were designed by the Maharaja to observe astronomical positions with the naked eye.Answer
  3. C
    Featuring the world's largest stone sundial, these structures were designed by the Maharaja, they allowed him to observe astronomical positions with the naked eye.
  4. D
    Featuring the world's largest stone sundial, these structures, which includes the massive Samrat Yantra, was designed by the Maharaja to observe astronomical positions with the naked eye.

Answer

The grammatically correct option that places the introductory modifying phrase next to the noun it describes, reading: 'Featuring the world's largest stone sundial, these structures were designed by the Maharaja to observe astronomical positions with the naked eye.'
The correct option resolves the dangling modifier by ensuring the introductory participial phrase 'Featuring the world's largest stone sundial' is immediately followed by the noun it actually describes: 'these structures'. It is also grammatically correct, avoiding comma splices and subject-verb agreement issues.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory modifier and the noun it describes.
The phrase 'Featuring the world's largest stone sundial' describes the astronomical structures of Jantar Mantar, not the Maharaja.
An introductory modifier must be placed immediately before the noun it modifies to prevent dangling or misplaced modifiers.
2
Evaluate the grammar of the options that correctly place 'these structures' immediately after the introductory phrase.
One option contains a comma splice ('these structures were designed... they allowed...'), and another contains a subject-verb agreement error ('these structures... was designed...').
The correct option must not only resolve the modifier placement but also be free of other grammatical errors.
3
Select the option that is grammatically correct in all aspects.
The option using the passive voice 'these structures were designed by...' correctly links the modifier and has no other errors.
This revision produces a logical and grammatically complete sentence.

Key Concept

Modifier Placement
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Topics

Modifier Placement

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