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Difficulty: Very hardModifier Placement

While cataloging the fragments of the newly unearthed clay tablets, the ancient script was finally deciphered by the linguist using a comparative database. This breakthrough shed light on the economic transactions of the early Bronze Age. Consequently, historians have had to revise their theories regarding regional trade networks.

Which of the following options, if substituted for the underlined portion of the passage, produces a sentence that is grammatically correct and logically coherent?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. B
    the linguist, whose collection of comparative databases are extensive, finally deciphered the ancient script.
  3. C
    the linguist finally deciphered the ancient script, she used a comparative database to verify the translation.
  4. the linguist finally deciphered the ancient script by using a comparative database.Answer

Answer

the linguist finally deciphered the ancient script by using a comparative database.
The correct option correctly places the subject performing the action of cataloging—namely, the linguist—immediately after the introductory phrase. This resolves the dangling modifier. It also avoids introducing any additional errors in subject-verb agreement or sentence structure.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory modifying phrase and determine the logical subject.
The phrase 'While cataloging the fragments of the newly unearthed clay tablets' requires a subject that is capable of cataloging fragments, which must be a person (the linguist).
Introductory participial phrases must modify the subject of the main clause immediately following them.
2
Evaluate the choices to find which one puts the correct subject first.
The options starting with 'the linguist' correctly resolve the dangling modifier.
This eliminates the dangling modifier present in the original sentence.
3
Check the remaining options for other grammatical errors.
One option contains a subject-verb agreement error ('collection... are'), and another contains a comma splice. The option ending in 'by using a comparative database' is grammatically correct.
Eliminating options with structural or agreement errors leaves the only grammatically correct and logical option.

Key Concept

Modifier Placement
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Modifier Placement

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