Examkin

Question

Difficulty: EasySubject-Modifier Agreement

Hoping to document the migration patterns of monarch butterflies, _______

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A
    tiny tracking tags were placed by biologist Elena Vance on the insects' wings.
  2. Elena Vance, a biologist, placed tiny tracking tags on the insects' wings.Answer
  3. C
    the tagging of the insects was conducted by biologist Elena Vance.
  4. D
    tracking tags were used by biologist Elena Vance to mark their wings.

Answer

Elena Vance, a biologist, placed tiny tracking tags on the insects' wings.
The introductory phrase 'Hoping to document the migration patterns of monarch butterflies' is a modifying phrase that must logically describe the subject of the main clause. The subject who is hoping to document the migration is the biologist Elena Vance. Therefore, the main clause must begin with the noun phrase 'Elena Vance' to ensure proper subject-modifier agreement.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory modifying phrase and determine what or who it logically describes.
The modifying phrase 'Hoping to document the migration patterns of monarch butterflies' describes a person who has this hope, which is the biologist Elena Vance.
A modifying phrase must be placed next to the noun or pronoun it logically modifies to avoid a dangling modifier.
2
Select the option that begins with the logical subject described by the modifying phrase.
The option starting with the proper noun 'Elena Vance' correctly aligns the subject with the modifier.
This alignment ensures that the sentence follows the conventions of Standard English regarding subject-modifier agreement.

Key Concept

Subject-modifier agreement requires that an introductory modifying phrase be followed immediately by the noun or pronoun it logically modifies.
Rate this question

Topics

Subject-Modifier Agreement

More questions from this topic