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Difficulty: MediumSubject-Modifier Agreement

Although she started late in life, Mexican-American botanist Ynes Mexia became one of the most successful plant collectors of the early twentieth century. Traveling extensively throughout North and South America, Mexia gathered nearly 150,000 specimens, many of which were previously unknown to science. Having begun her botanical career at the age of fifty-five, _______

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

  1. Mexia went on to discover more than five hundred new species of plants, securing a lasting legacy in the field of botany.Answer
  2. B
    the discovery of more than five hundred new species of plants by Mexia secured her a lasting legacy in the field of botany.
  3. C
    more than five hundred new species of plants were discovered by Mexia, securing her a lasting legacy in the field of botany.
  4. D
    Mexia's legacy in the field of botany was secured by the discovery of more than five hundred new species of plants.

Answer

The choice that begins with the noun 'Mexia' correctly completes the sentence, as it matches the logical subject of the introductory modifying phrase.
The introductory phrase 'Having begun her botanical career at the age of fifty-five' is a participial modifier that must describe a person. The correct option begins with the proper noun 'Mexia', which is the logical subject of the modifying phrase, resulting in a clear and grammatically sound sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory modifying phrase.
The phrase 'Having begun her botanical career at the age of fifty-five' modifies the noun that immediately follows it.
According to Standard English conventions, an introductory modifier must logically describe the subject that immediately follows the comma.
2
Determine the logical subject of the modifying phrase.
The person who began a botanical career at the age of fifty-five is Ynes Mexia.
A career is started by a person, not by an abstract concept (like a legacy or discovery) or objects (like plant species).
3
Select the option that begins with the logical subject.
Only the option starting with 'Mexia' provides the logical subject of the modifier.
Placing any other subject immediately after the comma creates a dangling modifier.

Key Concept

Subject-Modifier Agreement
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Topics

Subject-Modifier Agreement

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