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Question

Difficulty: MediumAdjectives, Adverbs, and Modifiers

Which of the following options logically and grammatically completes the sentence below?

"To minimize water loss during the severe drought, ___________."

  1. farmers must prune the lower leaves of the crops regularly.Answer
  2. B
    the lower leaves of the crops must be pruned regularly.
  3. C
    regular pruning of the lower leaves of the crops is required.
  4. D
    farmers must prune the lower leaves of the crops continuous.

Answer

The option stating 'farmers must prune the lower leaves of the crops regularly.' is correct because the subject 'farmers' logically performs the action stated in the introductory modifying phrase 'To minimize water loss'.
The introductory infinitival phrase 'To minimize water loss during the severe drought' functions as an adverbial modifier expressing purpose. To avoid a dangling modifier error, the main clause must begin with the entity that performs this action. The phrase starting with 'farmers' correctly identifies who is minimizing the water loss, followed by the appropriate adverb 'regularly' modifying the verb 'prune'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory modifying phrase in the sentence stem.
The phrase is an infinitival modifying phrase: 'To minimize water loss during the severe drought'.
An introductory modifying phrase must immediately precede the noun phrase that logically performs the implied action.
2
Determine the logical subject of the action 'to minimize water loss'.
Human agents ('farmers') are the logical subject who take action to minimize water loss.
Crops or leaves cannot intentionally take measures to minimize water loss.
3
Evaluate each option for correct modifier placement and appropriate adverbial form.
The option beginning with 'farmers' and ending with the adverb 'regularly' correctly aligns the subject and uses the proper adverbial form.
Options placing 'leaves' or 'pruning' immediately after the introductory phrase commit dangling modifier errors, and using the adjective 'continuous' to modify a verb is ungrammatical.

Key Concept

Adjectives, Adverbs, and Modifiers: Participial and Infinitival Modifier Alignment
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Topics

Adjectives, Adverbs, and Modifiers

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