Study Island - Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

Standard
GA Grade 7, ELA Standard

ELACC7L1
Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

a. Explain the function of phrases and clauses in general and their function in specific sentences.
b. Choose among simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences to signal differing relationships
among ideas.
c. Place phrases and clauses within a sentence, recognizing and correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers.*

Copyright 2014 Edmentum - All rights reserved.

Generation Date: 02/03/2014

Generated By: Shenica Bridges-Mathieu

1. Which of the following sentences has a dangling modifier?

By having a friend carefully review your essay, you will keep grammatical errors to a
A.
minimum.
By having a friend carefully review your essay, grammatical errors will be kept to a
B.
minimum.
When you have a friend carefully review your essay, grammatical errors will be kept to a
C.
minimum.
D. Having a friend carefully review your essay will keep grammatical errors to a minimum.

2. Which of the following sentences is written correctly?

A. There are three main steps to follow to get rid of pesky ants.
B. To get rid of pesky ants, you need to follow three main steps.
C. Three main steps need to be followed to get rid of pesky ants.
D. To get rid of pesky ants, there are three main steps to follow.
3.

When Barbra came home from the mall, she gave a bag to her little sister that was filled
with books.

Which of these is the clearest and most effective way to revise the sentence above?

When Barbra came home from the mall, she gave a bag that was filled with books to her
A.
little sister.
Barbra gave a bag that was filled with books to her little sister when she came home from
B.
the mall.
When Barbra came home from the mall that was filled with books, she gave a bag to her
C.
little sister.
Barbra gave a bag to her little sister that was filled with books when she came home from
D.
the mall.

4. Which of the following sentences is written correctly?

A. Looking for someone, the department store with experience is to sell clothes.
B. The department store is looking for someone with experience to sell clothes.
C. The department store is looking for someone to sell clothes with experience.
D. Looking for someone, the department store is with experience to sell clothes.

5.

Never cleaning his room, it got messier each day.

Which of these is the best way to revise the above sentence to make it clear and effective?

A. Because Jerry never cleaned his room, it got messier each day.
B. Jerry's room got messier each day never cleaning it.
C. Never being cleaned, Jerry could not find things in his room.
D. After never cleaning it, Jerry's room got messier each day.

6.
 Sleeping, the heavy rainstorm passing through was not heard.

Which of the following is a dangling modifier in the sentence above?

A. Sleeping
B. passing through
C. heavy
D. not heard

7.

I am selling an antique dresser for my grandmother that is in perfect condition.

Which of the following is a misplaced modifier in the sentence above?

A. perfect
B. that is in perfect condition
C. antique
D. selling an antique dresser

8.

Alyssa looked forward to a relaxing weekend spent with her family having just finished a
tough book report.

Which is the correct way to write the sentence?

Having just finished a tough book report, Alyssa looked forward to a relaxing weekend
A.
spent with her family.
A relaxing weekend spent with her family, Alyssa looked forward to having just finished a
B.
tough book report.
Spent with her family, Alyssa looked forward to a relaxing weekend having just finished a
C.
tough book report.
 Alyssa looked forward to a relaxing weekend spent having just finished a tough book
D.
report with her family.

9. Which word is a misplaced modifier in the sentence below?

This year's graduating class admires really the famous British authors of the 19th
century.

A. graduating
B. really
C. famous
D. British

10. (1) While cleaning, Ms. Faber found chocolate candy inside her maroon car that
was melted. (2) She was happy that she had leather seats, which allowed her to simply
wipe off the chocolate with a damp towel.

Which modifier is misplaced in sentence 1?

A. While cleaning
B. maroon
C. chocolate
D. that was melted

11.

While she was playing at the park, Lindy accidentally stepped on a piece of glass
without any shoes on.

What is the misplaced modifier in this sentence?

A. at the park
B. accidentally
C. without any shoes on
D. on a piece of glass
12.

To help keep this party a secret, all of the decorations and supplies will be kept where
the birthday boy never goes, at Lisa's house.

What is the dangling modifier in this sentence?

A. To help keep this party a secret

B. at Lisa's house
C. where the birthday boy never goes
D. of the decorations and supplies

13.

When running, it is important to breathe through your nose.

What change, if any, should be made to the sentence above?

A. Move When running to the end of the sentence.

B. no change
C. Change it is to you are.
D. Add you are between When and running.

14.

The trash, located by the sink, is always taken out at least once a week to keep the
kitchen from smelling.

What is the dangling modifier in this sentence?

A. located by the sink

B. to keep the kitchen from smelling
C. taken out at least once a week
 D. always

(1) This week is going to be insane, Danesha thought to herself as she got ready for
school. (2) With the end of the school year came all sorts of final projects, and every
single project was due that Friday. (3) Danesha didn't understand why her teachers
liked to assign everything at the same time. (4) After grabbing her lunch and a breakfast
bar, the school bus was heard. (5) Danesha flew out the door to catch it. (6) Occupied
with all that needed to be done, the front door was accidentally left unlocked.

15. Which is the correct way to write sentence 6?

A. She accidentally left the front door unlocked and occupied with all that needed to be done.
B. The front door, occupied with all that needed to be done, was accidentally left unlocked.
C. Occupied with all that needed to be done, she accidentally left the front door unlocked.
D. The front door was accidentally left unlocked, occupied with all that needed to be done.

16.

Having had no time to eat breakfast, the day-old bagel looked absolutely delicious to the
woman in a business suit.

Which modifier is dangling in the sentence above?

A. to the woman in a business suit

B. Having had no time to eat breakfast
C. absolutely
D. day-old

17. Which of the following sentences is written correctly?

A. He rode in a car that was decorated with his friends.

B. Caleb was ready for the party wearing a suit and tie.
C. Eager to eat, Caleb immediately joined the buffet line.
D. Having fun, the dance floor was already full of people.

18. Where does the phrase "with the flat tire" belong in the sentence below?
 You should take the bicycle to the repair shop down the street with the flat tire.

A. between bicycle and to

B. between You and should
C. between should and take
D. between shop and down

19.

Take the loose change to a self-service coin machine.

Where does the clause "that you have collected over the years" belong in the sentence above?

A. between the and loose

B. before Take
C. between change and to
D. after machine

20.

When grocery shopping, _______.

Which of the following best completes the sentence above?

A. it is necessary to have a list of needed items

B. there is an advantage to having a list
C. a list of needed items is essential
D. you should have a list of needed items

21.

Kris Lundy was able to stop the other football team from making a touchdown tackling
the quarterback.
Choose the clearest and most effective revision of the above sentence.

The other football team from making a touchdown, Kris Lundy was able to stop tackling
A.
the quarterback.
Tackling the quarterback, Kris Lundy was able to stop the other football team from making
B.
a touchdown.
Kris Lundy was able to stop the other football team tackling the quarterback from making
C.
a touchdown.
From making a touchdown, Kris Lundy was able to stop the other football team tackling
D.
the quarterback.

(1) Do you ever log in to social networking sites and tell everyone what you are
doing? (2) If you do, be aware of who can see what you are writing. (3) Thieves can
read public posts to find their next victim. (4) When going on vacation, it is best to keep
travel plans secret. (5) Revealing that you are going on vacation may cause a thief to
target your home. (6) Using the information found in your profile, where you live can be
discovered.

22. Choose the clearest and most effective revision of sentence 6.

A. Using the information found in your profile, a thief can discover where you live.
B. Where you live can be discovered using the information found in your profile.
C. Discovering where you live, the information found in your profile can be used.
D. A thief can use the information found in your profile, discovering where you live.

23.

Filled with an assortment of cakes, Josephine drooled as she peered into the glass
display case because she hadn't had dessert in months.

What is the misplaced modifier in this sentence?

A. because she hadn't had dessert

B. Filled with an assortment of cakes
C. Josephine drooled as she peered
D. into the glass display case
24. The band and I had a sold-out performance last night. There was not a single
seat left in the auditorium after playing the first song. Screaming in excitement, the fans
amazed us with their energy. We didn't want the night to end because of them.

Which modifier is dangling in the paragraph above?

A. in the auditorium
B. after playing the first song
C. Screaming in excitement
D. with their energy

25. Which of the following sentences is the most clear and effective?

A. As I walked alone in the forest, all of the tall trees looked frightening.
B. All of the tall trees looked frightening, walking alone in the forest.
C. Looking frightening, I walked alone in the forest amid all of the tall trees.
D. Walking alone in the forest, all of the tall trees looked frightening.

(1) This week is going to be insane, Danesha thought to herself as she got ready for
school. (2) With the end of the school year came all sorts of final projects, and every
single project was due that Friday. (3) Danesha didn't understand why her teachers
liked to assign everything at the same time. (4) After grabbing her lunch and a breakfast
bar, the school bus was heard. (5) Danesha flew out the door to catch it. (6) Occupied
with all that needed to be done, the front door was accidentally left unlocked.

26. Which of these, if any, is the clearest and most effective way to revise sentence 4?

A. no change
B. The school bus was heard after grabbing her lunch and a breakfast bar.
C. She heard the school bus grabbing her lunch and a breakfast bar.
D. After grabbing her lunch and a breakfast bar, she heard the school bus.

27.

Not having much time left before the graduation began, _______.

Which of the following best completes the sentence above?

 A. it was important that a solution was quickly thought of
B. he pedaled as fast as he could to the gymnasium
C. there was rising panic in the school gymnasium
D. the bike was quickly maneuvered through the streets

28.

After working diligently for a month, the painting was finally ready to be displayed.

Which is the correct way to write the above sentence?

A. After working diligently for a month, the artist was finally ready to display the painting.
B. Working diligently for a month, the painting was finally ready to be displayed.
C. The painting was finally ready to be displayed after working diligently for a month.
After working diligently for a month, the landscape painting was ready to be displayed
D.
finally.

29.

To prevent an unhealthy buildup of bacteria, bed sheets should be washed at least once
a week.

What is the best way to rewrite this sentence?

You should wash your bed sheets preventing an unhealthy buildup of bacteria at least once
A.
a week.
Bed sheets should be washed at least once a week to prevent an unhealthy buildup of
B.
bacteria.
Preventing an unhealthy buildup of bacteria, bed sheets should be washed at least once a
C.
week.
To prevent an unhealthy buildup of bacteria, you should wash your bed sheets at least once
D.
a week.

30.
After feeling horrible for a week, the woman finally decided to see a doctor with a fever
and a severe cough.

Which of these is the clearest and most effective way to revise the sentence above?

The woman finally decided to see with a fever and a severe cough a doctor after feeling
A.
horrible for a week.
The woman finally decided to see a doctor with a fever and a severe cough after feeling
B.
horrible for a week.
After feeling horrible for a week, the woman with a fever and a severe cough finally
C.
decided to see a doctor.
Finally, after feeling horrible for a week, the woman decided to see a doctor with a fever
D.
and a severe cough.

31.

While they were dining, many guests admired the intricate centerpiece.

If Dante wanted to add the phrase "on the kitchen table" to describe the centerpiece, where
should he place it in the sentence above?

A. before While
B. between guests and admired
C. between the and intricate
D. after centerpiece

32. (1) Last week, I visited a second-grade class to teach a short reading lesson.
(2) Sitting all around me on the floor, the students listened as I read to them one version
of The Three Little Pigs. (3) Their teacher had read to them a different version of the
story the previous day. (4) After reading the story, I asked the students to point out
differences between the two versions of The Three Little Pigs. (5) Not knowing the
names of the kids, it was difficult to call on them for answers. (6) I felt rude every time I
pointed at a student I was calling on.

Which sentence has a dangling modifier?

A. sentence 4
 B. sentence 5
C. sentence 2
D. sentence 1

33. If Keesha wants to add the phrase "from the library" to describe the book, where should she
place it in the sentence below?

My sister finished reading the book in two days.

A. between sister and finished

B. after days
C. between book and in
D. before My

(1) Do you ever log in to social networking sites and tell everyone what you are
doing? (2) If you do, be aware of who can see what you are writing. (3) Thieves can
read public posts to find their next victim. (4) When going on vacation, it is best to keep
travel plans secret. (5) Revealing that you are going on vacation may cause a thief to
target your home. (6) Using the information found in your profile, where you live can be
discovered.

34. Which sentence has a dangling modifier?

A. sentence 2
B. sentence 3
C. sentence 5
D. sentence 4

35.

Every morning, Arthur likes to slowly eat a blueberry muffin in his pajamas.

Which modifier is misplaced in the sentence above?

A. blueberry
B. in his pajamas
C. Every morning
 D. slowly

36. Which of the following is a dangling modifier in the sentence below?

All of the required materials should be carefully gathered before beginning the project.

A. of the required materials

B. before beginning the project
C. carefully
D. required

37. (1) Those of you who dislike the taste of water do not have to drink Gatorade
after exercising. (2) After conducting a study, it has been found that skim milk is actually
better than sports drinks. (3) It has all of the protein, vitamins, and sugar you need for
your body to recover.

Which of these is the best way to revise sentence 2 to make it a clear and effective sentence?

A. Skim milk is actually better than sports drinks after conducting a study.
After conducting a study, researchers have found that skim milk is actually better than
B.
sports drinks.
Researchers have found that skim milk is actually better than sports drinks after
C.
conducting a study.
D. After conducting a study, skim milk is actually better than sports drinks.

38.

Advertising a music festival, Paul saw a billboard while he was driving on the highway.

What is the best way, if any, to rewrite this sentence?

A. While he was driving on the highway, Paul saw a billboard advertising a music festival.
B. no change
C. Advertising a music festival, Paul saw a billboard driving on the highway.
D. While he was driving on the highway advertising a music festival, Paul saw a billboard.
39. Which sentence has a misplaced modifier?

A. Jorge really wanted his team to win the game.

B. Jorge tried his best to make a scoring kick.
C. Jorge almost kicked the ball 14 meters.
D. Jorge quickly kicked the ball and scored.

40. Choose the clearest and most effective revision of the following sentence.

Ready to give her speech, the woman stepped up to the microphone holding her note
cards.

A. The woman stepped up to the microphone holding her note cards ready to give her speech.
B. The woman stepped up to the microphone ready to give her speech holding her note cards.
C. Ready to give her speech, the woman holding her note cards stepped up to the microphone.
D. Holding her note cards, the woman stepped up to the microphone ready to give her speech.

41. Which of the following sentences is the most clear and effective?

A new type of fastener has been invented to create a quieter and stronger fastener than
A.
zipper and Velcro.
To create a quieter and stronger fastener than zipper and Velcro, a new type of fastener has
B.
been invented.
Leonard Duffy has invented a new type of fastener that is quieter and stronger than zippers
C.
and Velcro.
Quieter and stronger than zippers and Velcro, Leonard Duffy has invented a new type of
D.
fastener.

42. What is the best way to rewrite this sentence?

Arriving at his favorite place in the park, the man sat underneath an evergreen tree with
a book.

The man sat underneath an evergreen tree arriving at his favorite place in the park with a
A.
book.
The man sat underneath an evergreen tree with a book arriving at his favorite place in the
B.
park.
C. Arriving at his favorite place in the park, the man with a book sat underneath an evergreen
 tree.
With a book, the man sat underneath an evergreen tree arriving at his favorite place in the
D.
park

43.

My skin feels a lot smoother after applying lotion.

Which of the following changes will eliminate the dangling modifier in the sentence above?

A. Change applying to I apply.

B. Change a lot smoother to smooth.
C. Add some between applying and lotion.
D. Move after applying lotion to before My.

44. (1) Georgina had a fantastic garden where she only grew vegetables. (2) She
was not interested in growing flowers or fruit.

Which of these is the best way to revise sentence 1 to make it a clear and effective sentence?

A. Georgina had a fantastic garden where she grew only vegetables.

B. Only Georgina had a fantastic garden where she grew vegetables.
C. Georgina had a fantastic garden where only she grew vegetables.
D. Georgina only had a fantastic garden where she grew vegetables.

45.

Celia grabbed the food for the dogs from the pantry.

Which of these is the best way to revise the sentence above to make it clear and effective?

A. The food for the dogs from the pantry Celia grabbed.
B. Celia grabbed from the pantry the food for the dogs.
C. Celia from the pantry grabbed the food for the dogs.
 D. For the dogs from the pantry, Celia grabbed the food.

46.

Located downtown, we are looking for someone to take care of our 4-year-old daughter
who can drive.

What change, if any, should be made to the sentence above?

A. Move Located downtown to between daughter and who.

B. Move looking for someone to between we and are.
C. Move who can drive to between someone and to.
D. no change

47. Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier?

A. After walking onto the stage, the conductor bowed to the audience in greeting.
B. The conductor shook hands with Michael Guerro, the orchestra's concertmaster.
C. Listening to the beautiful blend of sounds, I marveled at the musicians' talent.
D. The orchestra members prepared for the performance, tuning their instruments.

48. Which of the following is a dangling modifier in the sentence below?

Excited about the trip, her luggage was already packed two weeks before the departure
date.

A. before the departure date

B. already
C. Excited about the trip
D. two weeks

49. Which of the following sentences is the most clear and effective?

As the president of this organization, I promise to make decisions that will benefit all
A.
members.
 I promise to make decisions that will benefit all members as the president of this
B.
organization.
As the president of this organization, decisions I promise will be made to benefit all
C.
members.
D. I promise decisions will be made to benefit all of this organization's members as president.

Answers
1. B
2. B
3. A
4. B
5. A
6. A
7. B
8. A
9. B
10. D
11. C
12. A
13. D
14. B
15. C
16. B
17. C
18. A
19. C
20. D
21. B
22. A
23. B
24. B
25. A
26. D
27. B
28. A
29. D
30. C
31. D
32. B
33. C
34. D
35. B
36. B
37. B
38. A
39. C
40. C
41. C
42. C
43. A
44. A
45. B
46. C
47. D
48. C
49. A

Explanations
1. In the correct answer, the modifier "By having a friend carefully review your essay" is
dangling. Its subject is not clearly stated in the sentence. The other three answer options show
correct ways to write the sentence.

2. The correct answer is the only sentence without a dangling modifier. The subject of the
modifier "To get rid of pesky ants," "you," is clearly stated in the sentence.

3. The correct answer has all of its modifiers as close as possible to the things that they are meant
to modify. The clause "that was filled with books" is meant to modify "bag," so it is correctly
placed after that word. The clause "When Barbra came home from the mall" is correctly placed
at the beginning of the sentence so that it is clear that "she" is "Barbra" and not "her little sister."

4. The correct answer has all of its modifiers as close as possible to the things that they are meant
to modify. For example, the phrase "with experience" is meant to modify "someone," so it is
correctly placed after that word.

5. In the original sentence, "Never cleaning his room" is a dangling modifier. Its subject is not
clearly stated in the sentence. The correct answer fixes the problem by turning the phrase into a
clause that states the subject.

6. In the sentence, "Sleeping" is a dangling modifier. Its subject is not clearly stated. Here is a
correct rewrite of the sentence: Sleeping, the inhabitants of the house did not hear the heavy
rainstorm passing through. Making the subject of the modifier, "the inhabitants of the house," the
subject of the sentence fixes the problem.

7. A modifier should be placed as close as possible to the thing that it is meant to modify. The
modifier "that is in perfect condition" is misplaced. It should be by "dresser" since that is what it
is meant to modify. Because "that is in perfect condition" is after "grandmother," the reader may
think that the grandmother is in perfect condition. The sentence should read, "I am selling for my
grandmother an antique dresser that is in perfect condition."

8. Each modifier should be placed as close as possible to the thing that it is meant to modify. In
the original sentence, the modifier "having just finished a tough book report" is misplaced. It
should be placed by "Alyssa" since that's what it is meant to modify. The original wording
misleads the reader to think that Alyssa's family has just finished a tough book report.

9. The modifier "really" needs to appear before the word it is meant to modify. The sentence
should read, "This year's graduating class really admires the famous British authors of the 19th
century."

10. In sentence 1, the modifier "that was melted" is misplaced. It should be placed after "candy"
since that is what it is meant to modify. The wording in sentence 1 misleads the reader to think
that the car was melted.

11. The phrase "without any shoes on" is a misplaced modifier because it is in the wrong place in
the sentence. A modifier should be placed as close as possible to the thing that it is meant to
modify. The phrase "without any shoes on" is meant to modify "Lindy." Its current placement
misleads the reader to think that the glass is without any shoes. Here is a correct rewrite of the
sentence: While she was playing at the park, Lindy, without any shoes on, accidentally stepped
on a piece of glass.

12. "To help keep this party a secret" is a dangling modifier in the sentence. The subject of the
infinitive phrase is not clearly stated. Here is a correct rewrite of the sentence: I will help keep
this party a secret by keeping all of the decorations and supplies where the birthday boy never
goes, at Lisa's house. Combining the phrase with the main clause is one way to get rid of the
dangling modifier.

13. In the sentence, "When running" is a dangling modifier. The subject of the modifier is not
clearly stated. Inserting "you are" between "When" and "running" eliminates the dangling
modifier by giving it a subject.

14. The infinitive phrase "to keep the kitchen from smelling" is dangling in the sentence. The
subject of the infinitive is not clearly stated. Here is a correct rewrite of the sentence: To keep the
kitchen from smelling, I always take out the trash, located by the sink, at least once a week.
Making the doer of the verb in the phrase the subject of the sentence is one way to fix a dangling
modifier.

15. Sentence 6 in the paragraph has a dangling modifier. The subject of the modifier "Occupied
with all that needed to be done" is not clearly stated in the sentence. The correct answer shows a
correct way to revise sentence 6. The dangling modifier can be eliminated by making the subject
of the modifier, "she," the subject of the sentence.

16. The participial phrase "Having had no time to eat breakfast" is dangling in the sentence.
When a participial phrase begins a sentence, its subject must also be the subject of the sentence.
What "Having had no time to eat breakfast" modifies is not clearly stated. Here is a correct
rewrite of the sentence: Having had no time to eat breakfast, the woman in a business suit
thought that the day-old bagel looked absolutely delicious. Making the subject of the phrase the
subject of the sentence is one way to fix a dangling modifier.

17. Each modifier needs to be as close as possible to the thing that it is meant to modify. The
correct answer is the only sentence without a misplaced modifier. Here is a correct rewrite for
each of the other sentences:

He rode with his friends in a car that was decorated.

The dance floor was already full of people having fun.
Wearing a suit and tie, Caleb was ready for the party.

18. A modifier should be placed as close as possible to the thing that it is meant to modify. The
phrase "with the flat tire" is meant to modify "bicycle." Therefore, the sentence should read,
"You should take the bicycle with the flat tire to the repair shop down the street."

19. A modifier should be placed as close as possible to the thing that it is meant to modify. The
clause "that you have collected over the years" is meant to modify "change." Therefore, the
sentence should read, "Take the loose change that you have collected over the years to a self-
service coin machine."

20. The correct answer completes the sentence without creating a dangling modifier. The subject
of the sentence needs to match the subject of the modifier "When grocery shopping."

21. Each modifier should be placed as close as possible to the thing that it is meant to modify. In
the original sentence, the modifier "tackling the quarterback" is misplaced. It should be placed by
"Kris Lundy" since that's what it is meant to modify. Kris Lundy, not the team or the touchdown,
is tackling the quarterback.

22. Sentence 6 has a dangling modifier. The subject of the phrase "Using the information found
in your profile" is not clearly stated in the sentence. The correct answer fixes the problem by
making the subject of the modifier, "a thief," the subject of the sentence. It is the only answer
option without any misplaced or dangling modifiers.

23. "Filled with an assortment of cakes" is a misplaced modifier because it is in the wrong place
in the sentence. A modifier should be placed as close as possible to the thing that it is meant to
modify. "Filled with an assortment of cakes" is meant to modify "the glass display case." Its
current placement misleads the reader to think that Josephine is filled with an assortment of
cakes. Here is a correct rewrite of the sentence: Because she hadn't had dessert in months,
Josephine drooled as she peered into the glass display case filled with an assortment of cakes.

24. In the second sentence of the paragraph, "after playing the first song" is a dangling modifier.
The subject of the phrase is not clearly stated in the sentence. Here is a correct rewrite of the
sentence: There was not a single seat left in the auditorium after we played the first song.
Turning the dangling modifier into a clause that names the doer of the verb is one way to fix the
problem.

25. The correct answer is the only sentence with no dangling or misplaced modifier. All of its
modifiers are as close as possible to the things they are meant to modify.

26. Sentence 4 in the paragraph has a dangling modifier. The subject of the modifier "After
grabbing her lunch and a breakfast bar" is not clearly stated in the sentence. The correct answer
shows a clear and effective way to revise sentence 4. The dangling modifier can be eliminated by
making the subject of the modifier, "she," the subject of the sentence.

27. The correct answer completes the sentence without creating a dangling modifier. The subject
of the sentence needs to match the subject of the modifier "Not having much time left before the
graduation began."

28. The original sentence has a dangling modifier. The subject of "After working diligently for a
month" is not clearly stated in the sentence. The correct answer fixes this problem by making the
subject of the phrase, "the artist," the subject of the sentence.

29. The original sentence has a dangling modifier because the subject of "To prevent an
unhealthy buildup of bacteria" is not clearly stated in the sentence. The correct answer eliminates
the dangling modifier by making the subject of the modifier, "you," the subject of the sentence.

30. Each modifier should be placed as close as possible to the thing that it is meant to modify. In
the original sentence, the modifier "with a fever and a severe cough" is misplaced. It should be
placed by "the woman" since that's what it is meant to modify. The original wording misleads the
reader to think that the doctor has a fever and a severe cough.

31. A modifier should be placed as close as possible to the thing that it is meant to modify. Since
Dante wants "on the kitchen table" to modify "centerpiece," he should place it as close as
possible to that word. The sentence should read, "While they were dining, many guests admired
the intricate centerpiece on the kitchen table."

32. In sentence 5, the phrase "Not knowing the names of the kids" is dangling. The subject of the
phrase is not clearly stated. Here is a correct rewrite of the sentence: Since I did not know the
names of the kids, it was difficult to call on them for answers. Turning the dangling modifier into
a clause that names the doer of the verb is one way to fix the problem.

33. A modifier should be placed as close as possible to the thing that it is meant to modify. Since
Keesha wants "from the library" to modify "book," she should place it as close as possible to that
word. The sentence should read, "My sister finished reading the book from the library in two
days."

34. Sentence 4 in the paragraph has a dangling modifier. The subject of the modifier "When
going on vacation" is not clearly stated in the sentence. Here is a correct rewrite of the sentence:
When you are going on vacation, it is best to keep travel plans secret. Including the subject in the
modifier is one way to eliminate a dangling modifier.

35. The modifier "in his pajamas" is misplaced. Because it is closest to the word "muffin," the
reader can mistakenly think that the muffin is in his pajamas. Here is a correct rewrite of the
sentence: While in his pajamas, Arthur likes to slowly eat a blueberry muffin every morning.

36. The phrase "before beginning the project" is dangling in the sentence. The subject of the
phrase is not clearly stated. Here is a correct rewrite of the sentence: Before beginning the
project, you should carefully gather all of the required materials. Making the subject of the
phrase the subject of the sentence is one way to fix a dangling modifier.

37. The correct answer has all of its modifiers as close as possible to what they are meant to
modify. In the original sentence, "After conducting a study" is a dangling modifier. Its subject,
"researchers" is not clearly stated in the sentence. The correct answer fixes this problem: "After
conducting a study, researchers have found that skim milk is actually better than sports drinks."

38. Each modifier should be placed as close as possible to the thing that it is meant to modify. In
the original sentence, the modifier "Advertising a music festival" is misplaced. It should be
placed after "billboard" since that's what it is meant to modify.

39. The word "almost" needs to be placed immediately before the word or phrase it is meant to
modify. It doesn't make sense for Jorge to "almost kick" the ball 14 meters. The sentence should
read, "Jorge kicked the ball almost 14 meters."

40. The correct answer has all of its modifiers as close as possible to the things that they are
meant to modify. The phrase "ready to give her speech" is meant to modify "the woman," so it is
correctly placed before that noun phrase. The phrase "holding her note cards" is also meant to
modify "the woman," so it is correctly placed after that noun phrase.

41. The correct answer is the only sentence with no dangling or misplaced modifier. All of its
modifiers are as close as possible to the things they are meant to modify.

42. The correct answer has all of its modifiers as close as possible to the things that they are
meant to modify. The phrase "Arriving at his favorite place in the park" is meant to modify "the
man," so it is correctly placed before that noun phrase. The phrase "with a book" is also meant to
modify "the man," so it is correctly placed after that noun phrase.

43. The sentence has a dangling modifier because the subject of the phrase "after applying
lotion" is not clearly stated in the sentence. Changing "applying" to "I apply" makes the subject
of the phrase clear. Turning the dangling modifier into a clause that names the doer of the verb is
one way to fix the problem.

44. The modifier "only" needs to be placed as close as possible to the thing that it is meant to
modify. The reader can tell from the second sentence that "only" is meant to modify
"vegetables." Georgina grew only vegetables because she was not interested in growing flowers
or fruit. The original sentence misleads the reader to think that Georgina did nothing but grow
vegetables. She did not pick them or plant them.

45. The modifier "from the pantry" needs to be placed as close as possible to the thing that it is
meant to modify. The original sentence misleads the reader to think that the dogs are from the
pantry because "from the pantry" is placed after "dogs." The correct answer places "from the
pantry" after "grabbed," the word that the phrase is meant to modify.

46. A modifier should be placed as close as possible to the thing that it is meant to modify.
Otherwise, you might end up with a silly-sounding sentence. The clause "who can drive" is
meant to modify "someone." Therefore, the sentence should read, "Located downtown, we are
looking for someone who can drive to take care of our 4-year-old daughter."

47. In the correct answer, the modifier "tuning their instruments" is misplaced. A modifier
should be placed as close as possible to the thing that it is meant to modify. The modifier "tuning
their instruments" is meant to modify "The orchestra members." Its current placement misleads
the reader to think that the performance is tuning the instruments. Here is a correct rewrite of the
sentence: Tuning their instruments, the orchestra members prepared for the performance.

48. "Excited about the trip" is a dangling modifier in the sentence. The subject of the phrase is
not clearly stated. Here is a correct rewrite of the sentence: Excited about the trip, she had her
luggage already packed two weeks before the departure date. Making the subject of the phrase
the subject of the sentence is one way to fix a dangling modifier.

49. Each modifier should be as close as possible to the thing that it is meant to modify. The
phrase "As the president of this organization" is meant to modify "I." The correct answer places
this phrase as close as possible to "I."