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Question

Difficulty: HardSubject-Modifier Agreement

Complete the text by filling in the blank with the option that conforms to the conventions of Standard English. Choose from the following options:
- the faint light source detected in 1994 was eventually recognized
- astronomers eventually recognized the faint light source detected in 1994
- the recognition of the faint light source detected in 1994 eventually occurred
- detecting the faint light source in 1994 eventually led to its recognition

Answer:Although initially dismissed as a minor instrumental glitch by contemporary astronomers, 【the faint light source detected in 1994 was eventually recognized】 as Gliese 229B, the first confirmed brown dwarf.

Answer

the faint light source detected in 1994 was eventually recognized
The introductory modifying phrase 'Although initially dismissed as a minor instrumental glitch by contemporary astronomers' describes a physical observation or light source. The correct option begins with the noun phrase 'the faint light source,' ensuring that the modifier correctly describes the subject of the main clause.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the introductory modifying phrase and determine its logical subject.
The modifying phrase is 'Although initially dismissed as a minor instrumental glitch by contemporary astronomers.' The entity being 'dismissed as a minor instrumental glitch' must be the physical light source or astronomical observation itself.
A modifying phrase must logically describe the noun or pronoun that immediately follows it.
2
Evaluate the first word or phrase of each option to find the one that represents the logical subject.
The option beginning with 'the faint light source' correctly places the logical subject immediately after the modifier. The options beginning with 'astronomers,' 'the recognition,' or 'detecting' do not represent the entity dismissed as a glitch.
Placing any other word immediately after the modifier results in a dangling or misplaced modifier.

Key Concept

Subject-Modifier Agreement
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Topics

Subject-Modifier Agreement

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