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Question

Difficulty: MediumAdjectives, Adverbs, and Modifiers

During a severe tropical storm analysis, a meteorologist drafted several technical summaries. Which of the following sentences correctly avoids a dangling modifier?

  1. A
    Having thoroughly calibrated the telemetry sensors, the atmospheric data was processed without delay by the lead meteorologist.
  2. Having thoroughly calibrated the telemetry sensors, the lead meteorologist processed the atmospheric data without delay.Answer
  3. C
    Having thoroughly calibrated the telemetry sensors, a sudden power surge interrupted the processing of the atmospheric data.
  4. D
    Having thoroughly calibrated the telemetry sensors, processing the atmospheric data became remarkably efficient.

Answer

Having thoroughly calibrated the telemetry sensors, the lead meteorologist processed the atmospheric data without delay.
The correct sentence properly places the introductory participial modifier 'Having thoroughly calibrated the telemetry sensors' adjacent to its logical subject, 'the lead meteorologist'. This ensures a clear and grammatically sound connection between the modifier and the agent performing the action.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory participial phrase in the sentence.
The phrase is 'Having thoroughly calibrated the telemetry sensors'.
An introductory participial phrase functions as an adjectival modifier and must describe the subject immediately following it.
2
Determine the logical actor who performed the action in the modifying phrase.
The person who calibrated the sensors is 'the lead meteorologist'.
Sensors cannot be calibrated by data, power surges, or abstract actions.
3
Select the option that places the logical actor as the subject of the main clause.
The sentence placing 'the lead meteorologist' directly after the comma correctly avoids a dangling modifier.
Proper modifier alignment requires the noun being modified to act as the explicit grammatical subject of the main clause.

Key Concept

Participial Modifier Placement and Avoidance of Dangling Modifiers
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Adjectives, Adverbs, and Modifiers

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