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Difficulty: Very hardAdjectives, Adverbs, and Modifiers

Which of the following sentences demonstrates correct modifier placement and proper adverbial usage without creating grammatical ambiguity?

  1. Determined to resolve the persistent administrative bottleneck, the vice-chancellor promptly appointed an independent advisory committee.Answer
  2. B
    Determined to resolve the persistent administrative bottleneck, an independent advisory committee was promptly appointed by the vice-chancellor.
  3. C
    Determined to resolve the persistent administrative bottleneck, the vice-chancellor prompt appointed an independent advisory committee.
  4. D
    Determined to resolve the persistent administrative bottleneck, the vice-chancellor appointed an advisory independent committee promptly.

Answer

The sentence where the vice-chancellor is the immediate subject following the introductory modifier and the adverb appropriately modifies the verb.
The correct sentence appropriately places the human subject ('the vice-chancellor') directly after the introductory participial phrase, ensuring proper modifier alignment. Additionally, it uses the correct adverbial form to modify the verb and respects natural adjective ordering.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory modifying phrase
The phrase 'Determined to resolve the persistent administrative bottleneck' is an adjectival participial phrase requiring an agent capable of determination.
Participial modifiers at the beginning of a sentence must logically modify the agent named as the subject of the main clause.
2
Evaluate the subject of the main clause in each option
Only options featuring 'the vice-chancellor' directly after the comma correctly link the modifier to a human agent capable of determination.
An abstract entity such as 'an independent advisory committee' cannot possess determination, creating a dangling modifier error.
3
Check the form and placement of the adverb and adjectives
The word modifying the verb 'appointed' must take the adverbial form '-ly', and adjectives must follow the natural order of opinion/quality before classification.
Adverbs modify verbs, whereas qualitative adjectives precede classifying adjectives in noun phrase word order.

Key Concept

Participial Modifier Attachment and Adverbial Modification
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Adjectives, Adverbs, and Modifiers

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