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Difficulty: MediumSubject-Modifier Agreement

Located roughly 500 light-years from Earth in the constellation Ophiuchus, Barnard 68 is a dark absorption nebula consisting of a high concentration of dust and molecular gas. Known for its extreme density and cold temperature, _______

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

  1. A
    astronomers find that the molecular cloud Barnard 68 absorbs almost all visible light from the stars behind it.
  2. B
    visible light from background stars is almost completely absorbed by the molecular cloud Barnard 68.
  3. C
    the absorption of visible light from background stars occurs within the molecular cloud Barnard 68.
  4. the molecular cloud Barnard 68 absorbs almost all visible light from the stars behind it.Answer

Answer

the molecular cloud Barnard 68 absorbs almost all visible light from the stars behind it.
The introductory modifying phrase 'Known for its extreme density and cold temperature' must describe the molecular cloud Barnard 68. The correct option begins with this noun phrase, ensuring that the modifier is logically and grammatically connected to the subject it describes.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory modifying phrase in the sentence.
The phrase is 'Known for its extreme density and cold temperature'.
This phrase sets up a description that must apply to the noun that immediately follows the comma.
2
Determine the logical subject that is described by the modifying phrase.
The entity known for extreme density and cold temperature is the molecular cloud Barnard 68, not the astronomers, the visible light, or the absorption.
Correct grammatical construction requires the modifying phrase to be placed directly next to the noun it modifies.
3
Select the option that begins with the logical subject.
The option beginning with 'the molecular cloud Barnard 68' is correct, as it avoids a dangling or misplaced modifier.
This establishes proper subject-modifier agreement.

Key Concept

Subject-Modifier Agreement
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Subject-Modifier Agreement

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