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Question

Difficulty: MediumSubject-Modifier Agreement

Using a high-resolution scanning electron microscope to examine the fossilized leaves, _______ Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. the paleontologists identified tiny structures indicative of ancient symbiotic fungi.Answer
  2. B
    tiny structures indicative of ancient symbiotic fungi were identified by the paleontologists.
  3. C
    the microscope allowed the paleontologists to identify tiny structures indicative of ancient symbiotic fungi.
  4. D
    the analysis of the fossilized leaves by the paleontologists revealed tiny structures indicative of ancient symbiotic fungi.

Answer

the paleontologists identified tiny structures indicative of ancient symbiotic fungi.
The correct option begins with the noun phrase 'the paleontologists,' which is the logical subject of the introductory modifying phrase 'Using a high-resolution scanning electron microscope to examine the fossilized leaves.' This placement ensures that the modifier correctly and clearly describes the entity performing the action.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory modifying phrase and its logical subject.
The phrase is 'Using a high-resolution scanning electron microscope to examine the fossilized leaves'. The logical subject who performs the action of 'using' the microscope to 'examine' the leaves must be the researchers, or the paleontologists.
An introductory modifying phrase must logically describe the noun or pronoun that immediately follows it.
2
Evaluate the choices to find which one places the logical subject immediately after the comma.
Only the correct option begins with 'the paleontologists', establishing a logical and grammatically correct modifier-subject relationship.
Placing any other noun (such as 'tiny structures', 'the microscope', or 'the analysis') immediately after the comma creates a dangling or misplaced modifier, as those nouns cannot logically perform the action of using a microscope.

Key Concept

Subject-Modifier Agreement
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Topics

Subject-Modifier Agreement

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