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Which sentence avoids a dangling modifier?
- A. Walking down the street, a bird swooped down from a tree.
- B. Having finished the report, it was time for lunch.
- C. Reading the book, I learned a lot about ancient history.
- D. Exhausted from the hike, the tent was a welcome sight.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Option C correctly places the participle phrase 'Reading the book' directly in front of the subject 'I,' ensuring that there is no dangling modifier. This structure establishes a clear connection between the action described in the introductory phrase and the subject performing the action, resulting in a grammatically correct sentence. Choice A, B, and D have dangling modifiers. In choice A, the phrase 'Walking down the street' should be followed by the noun it is describing to avoid the dangling modifier. Choice B has a dangling modifier as 'Having finished the report' does not have a clear subject to relate to. Choice D also has a dangling modifier as 'Exhausted from the hike' is not properly connected to the subject in the sentence.
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Identify the independent clause in the following sentence: 'While the chef prepared dinner, the guests chatted and enjoyed the music.'
- A. While the chef prepared dinner
- B. the guests chatted and enjoyed the music
- C. While the chef prepared dinner
- D. the guests chatted and enjoyed
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is 'B' - 'the guests chatted and enjoyed the music.' An independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. It typically includes a subject and a verb and does not rely on another clause to form a complete sentence. In this sentence, 'the guests chatted and enjoyed the music' fits this criteria, making it the independent clause. Choices A and C are incorrect as they are dependent clauses, starting with a subordinating conjunction 'While,' which shows they cannot stand alone as complete sentences. Choice D is also incorrect as it lacks the word 'the' before 'enjoyed,' making it grammatically incomplete.
What is the best way to revise the sentence: 'Her eyes glistened with tears in the moonlight'?
- A. Her eyes glistened in the moonlight, with tears.
- B. Tears glistened in her eyes with moonlight.
- C. Her eyes, in the moonlight, glistened with tears.
- D. Tears made her eyes glisten in the moonlight.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, 'Tears made her eyes glisten in the moonlight.' This revision is clear and concise, emphasizing the cause (tears) and the effect (glistening eyes) in the moonlight, while maintaining the original meaning. Choices A, B, and C either change the original meaning, alter the cause-effect relationship, or introduce awkward phrasing, making them incorrect.
Which sentence uses parentheses correctly?
- A. The suspect was seen driving a red car (a witness reported).
- B. The movie (released in 2022) received critical acclaim.
- C. The restaurant offers a variety of dishes (including vegetarian options).
- D. All participants (must register by Friday) will receive a free gift.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct use of parentheses is to provide additional non-essential information to the main sentence. In option B, 'released in 2022' is additional detail about the movie but not necessary for the sentence's core meaning. Options A, C, and D could function without parentheses without affecting their essential message, making them incorrect uses of parentheses in this context. Therefore, choice B is the correct answer.
What type of error occurs in the sentence 'Everyone knew who the culprit was, except for me'?
- A. Subject-verb agreement
- B. Misplaced modifier
- C. Dangling participle
- D. Pronoun-antecedent agreement
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The error in the sentence is a misplaced modifier. The phrase 'except for me' should ideally modify 'me,' but it is incorrectly placed after 'knew,' leading to confusion about who the exception applies to. 'Subject-verb agreement' is incorrect as there is no disagreement between the subject and the verb. 'Dangling participle' is incorrect as there are no dangling participles in the sentence. 'Pronoun-antecedent agreement' is incorrect as the pronoun 'me' correctly refers to the antecedent 'I'; the issue lies with the placement of the modifier.
Which sentence uses comma splices incorrectly?
- A. The baker kneaded the dough, flour dusted her apron, and the oven warmed up.
- B. The mountains, shrouded in mist, seemed to disappear into the clouds.
- C. He arrived late, having forgotten his keys, and the meeting had already started.
- D. The movie, despite its flaws, was surprisingly enjoyable.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Option (C) incorrectly combines two independent clauses with only a comma, resulting in a comma splice. A comma should not be used to connect independent clauses; instead, a semicolon, conjunction, or period is needed to properly separate the ideas in the sentence. Choices (A), (B), and (D) do not contain comma splices and present their ideas in a grammatically correct manner.