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Question

Difficulty: MediumSubject-Modifier Agreement

Complete the passage by filling in the blank with the noun or pronoun that ensures proper subject-modifier agreement.

Answer:Analyzing data from a newly constructed radio telescope in 1967, astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell Burnell noticed a series of extremely regular radio pulses. By carefully ruling out potential sources of terrestrial interference, 【she】 proved that these signals originated from rapidly rotating neutron stars, which are now known as pulsars.

Answer

Jocelyn Bell Burnell (or the pronoun 'she')
The introductory modifying phrase 'By carefully ruling out potential sources of terrestrial interference' describes an action that can only be logically performed by a person. In this context, the astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell Burnell is the individual who investigated the signals and ruled out interference. Thus, starting the main clause with 'Jocelyn Bell Burnell' or the pronoun 'she' establishes a correct and logical subject-modifier agreement.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory modifying phrase and determine what or who it logically describes.
The modifying phrase is 'By carefully ruling out potential sources of terrestrial interference'. The entity performing the action of 'ruling out' must be a logical, conscious agent.
In English grammar, modifiers must clearly and logically modify the subject that immediately follows them.
2
Identify the subject from the context that matches the modifier.
The context identifies astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell Burnell as the person analyzing the data. Therefore, she is the agent who ruled out the interference.
To avoid a dangling modifier error, the subject immediately following the modifying phrase must be the noun or pronoun representing the person who performed the action.

Key Concept

Subject-Modifier Agreement
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Topics

Subject-Modifier Agreement

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