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Question

Difficulty: MediumSubject-Modifier Agreement

In 2021, geologist Dr. Elena Vance led an expedition to retrieve mineral samples from the remote floor of the Mariana Trench. Using a high-resolution scanning electron microscope to examine the specimen, _______

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

  1. A
    unusual crystalline structures were identified by Dr. Vance that suggest past hydrothermal activity.
  2. B
    the identification of unusual crystalline structures suggesting past hydrothermal activity was made by Dr. Vance.
  3. Dr. Vance identified unusual crystalline structures that suggest past hydrothermal activity.Answer
  4. D
    unusual crystalline structures suggesting past hydrothermal activity revealed themselves to Dr. Vance.

Answer

Dr. Vance identified unusual crystalline structures that suggest past hydrothermal activity.
The introductory modifying phrase 'Using a high-resolution scanning electron microscope to examine the specimen' describes an action that must be performed by a person. The option beginning with 'Dr. Vance' correctly places the logical subject immediately after the comma, ensuring clear and conventional sentence structure.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the introductory modifying phrase to determine its logical subject.
The phrase is 'Using a high-resolution scanning electron microscope to examine the specimen.' The logical agent performing this action must be a person, specifically Dr. Vance.
An introductory modifier must describe the subject of the main clause that follows it.
2
Select the option that places the logical subject immediately after the modifying phrase.
The correct option starts with 'Dr. Vance,' making her the grammatical subject of the sentence.
This positioning satisfies the rule of subject-modifier agreement and prevents a dangling modifier.

Key Concept

Subject-Modifier Agreement
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Topics

Subject-Modifier Agreement

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