Chapter 3: Modifiers 61

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exercises
EXERCISES: MODIFIERS

Error Identification

Directions: Each of the sentences below contains four underlined words or phrases.
Select the one word or phrase that must be changed in order for the sentence to be
correct. Write your answer on the line or on a separate sheet of paper.

1. He found an interesting lithograph as 7. The weatherman suggests keeping small

(A) (A) (B)
the one he had seen on his trip to children out of the sun because he
(B) (C) (D)
Spain. predicts that today will be hottest day
(C) (D)
of the year.
2. I told him as forceful as possible that he
(A) (B)
would not be allowed to enter the room 8. The American businessmen were per-
(C)
without written permission. plexed by the much considerations that
(D) (A)
the foreign company had to take into
3. Dr. Fields received so large bill when he (B)
(A) account before arriving at a decision.
checked out of the hotel that he did not (C) (D)
(B) (C)
have enough money to pay for a taxi to 9. The new zoo, with its elaborate moat
(D) (A)
the airport. system and open spaces, was
(B)
enough roomy to accommodate even
4. Although David had originally agreed to (C) (D)
(A) very large animals comfortably.
help her, he later decided it would be more
(B)
time-consuming that he had anticipated. 10. All of the players were anticipating the
(C) (D) (A)
last game of the series, which they
5. The hunters were able to take their (B)
(A) expected to be real exciting.
limit of game with few effort in spite of (C) (D)
(B) (C) (D)
the unusually rainy weather. 11. Having given serious consideration to a
(A)
job offer from another company, Bob
6. In spite of the wonderful acting, sensi-
(A) finally decided to completely forget
tive photography, and well-developed (B)
(B) about the offer and to continue at his
plot, the three-hours movie could not (C) (D)
(C) (D) old job.
hold our attention.

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 62 PART III: TOEFL Writing Review
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12. I scarcely have enough money to pay 19. After a long, seemingly futile search,
(A) (B) (C) (A)
the bill I received for medical services. Professor Clayborne was finally able to
(D) (B)
locate the five volume of the series he
13. After having dinner in that restaurant (C)
(A) needed to continue his research.
last night, I felt badly and my wife had (D)
(B) (C)
to take me to the hospital. 20. They only publish stories that are
(D) (A) (B)
suitable for young children to read.
14. Before leaving for her two-week vaca- (C) (D)
(A) (B)
tion, Sharon had to quickly prepare the 21. Because of the long, detailed questions
(C) (A) (B)
monthly financial report. and the unfamiliar format, John
(D)
could not scarcely finish the test on time.
15. A prize was awarded to millionth (C) (D)
(A) (B)
person who bought a year’s subscrip- 22. Clark spent many years studying East-
(C) (D) (A) (B)
tion to the magazine. ern philosophy in his search for the
(C)
meaning of the life.
16. Although Niagara Falls in the United (D)
(A)
States is not as high than Angel Falls 23. Although he had scaled many of the
(B) (A)
in Venezuela, more tourists visit Niagara world’s tallest mountains, he was still
(B)
Falls because it is more accessible. looking for more taller peaks to climb.
(C) (D) (C) (D)

17. Seriously burned in a terrible car 24. The mechanic recently purchased these
(A) (A) (B)
accident, the doctor was not sure that set of tools in order to be able to work
(C)
John could be protected from infection on large diesel trucks.
(B) (D)
long enough for his body to begin to
(C) 25. We all looked forward to going on our
heal itself. (A) (B)
(D) class’s picnic on the last day of the
(C) (D)
18. My friend Dorothy, who just got back semester.
(A) (B)
from Paris, said that the view from the

top of the Eiffel Tower was too breath-

(C) (D)
taking.

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 Chapter 3: Modifiers 63
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exercises
26. They were completely unprepared for 29. Even though my friend considered a
(A) (A)
the difficulties of caring for a career in economics or business admin-
(B)
three-months-old baby on their Euro- istration, he finally decided on a physic
(C) (D) (B) (C) (D)
pean trip. major.

27. Driving across the bridge, the sailboat 30. As he was driving me home, he told me
(A) (A)
with its sails billowing in the wind was that he not longer spent his winters in
(B) (C) (D) (B) (C) (D)
a beautiful sight to see. Florida.

28. They could not help noticing the article

(A) (B)
posted about a unusual flying object
(C)
seen recently.
(D)

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