Eliminating Dangling Modifiers Quiz: Advanced Editing

1. Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?

Before starting the exam, I reviewed my notes.

Hoping to impress the teacher, the essay was written overnight.

Tired from the trip, they all went straight to bed.

While walking to class, Jasmine met her friend.

The phrase “Hoping to impress the teacher” doesn’t logically describe “the essay.”

Explanation

The phrase “Hoping to impress the teacher” doesn’t logically describe “the essay.”

2. Fill in the blank: A dangling modifier lacks a clear __________ performing the action it describes.

The sentence needs a specific doer for clarity.

Explanation

The sentence needs a specific doer for clarity.

Submit

3. True or False: A dangling modifier always begins with a prepositional phrase.

True

False

It can begin with participial, infinitive, or prepositional phrases.

Explanation

It can begin with participial, infinitive, or prepositional phrases.

4. Choose the correct revision for this sentence: “After watching the movie, the popcorn was gone.”

After watching the movie, we noticed the popcorn was gone.

The popcorn was gone, after watching the movie.

The movie watched, the popcorn was gone.

The popcorn gone, the movie was watched.

The subject “we” clarifies who was watching.

Explanation

The subject “we” clarifies who was watching.

5. Fill in the blank: Dangling modifiers often occur when writers place a descriptive phrase too __________ from the noun it modifies.

Distance between modifier and subject creates confusion.

Explanation

Distance between modifier and subject creates confusion.

Submit

6. Match each sentence with the correct correction:

Running across the field, the goal was scored.

To earn extra credit, the project was submitted early.

While cooking dinner, the phone rang.

Each fix introduces the missing subject.

Explanation

Each fix introduces the missing subject.

Submit

7. Pick two reasons dangling modifiers weaken writing.

They confuse who performed the action.

They create illogical or humorous meanings.

They improve sentence rhythm.

They make the subject clearer.

Ambiguity and misplaced humor reduce clarity.

Explanation

Ambiguity and misplaced humor reduce clarity.

Submit

8. Fill in the blank: “Having studied all night, the test was easy” should be rewritten as “Having studied all night, __________ found the test easy.”

The subject must match the modifier’s action.

Explanation

The subject must match the modifier’s action.

Submit

9. True or False: Revising a dangling modifier sometimes requires changing the verb tense.

True

False

Adjusting tense or structure can make the modifier fit the sentence logically.

Explanation

Adjusting tense or structure can make the modifier fit the sentence logically.

10. Choose the correct version of this sentence: “Walking into the classroom, the lesson had already started.”

Walking into the classroom, I realized the lesson had already started.

Walking into the classroom, the students started the lesson.

The lesson, walking into the classroom, had already started.

The lesson started walking into the classroom.

“I” clarifies who performed the walking.

Explanation

“I” clarifies who performed the walking.

11. Fill in the blank: A dangling modifier may sound like it modifies the __________ noun, even when that isn’t intended.

Modifiers often attach to the closest noun by mistake.

Explanation

Modifiers often attach to the closest noun by mistake.

Submit

12. Match the incorrect sentence to its logical fix:

After reading the instructions, the project was easier to complete.

To fix the error, a new document was created.

Covered in glitter, the artist smiled proudly.

The first two lacked subjects; the last one only needed a repositioned phrase.

Explanation

The first two lacked subjects; the last one only needed a repositioned phrase.

Submit

13. Pick two strategies for avoiding dangling modifiers.

Begin sentences with the main subject instead of a phrase.

Ensure modifiers describe a clear noun.

Add a comma after every verb.

Move descriptive phrases far from the subject.

Clear structure and proximity prevent confusion.

Explanation

Clear structure and proximity prevent confusion.

Submit

14. Fill in the blank: “To reach the summit, stamina was required” can be rewritten as “To reach the summit, __________ needed stamina.”

Adding a clear subject fixes the dangling infinitive phrase.

Explanation

Adding a clear subject fixes the dangling infinitive phrase.

Submit

15. True or False: Dangling modifiers are acceptable in informal writing because meaning is always understood.

True

False

Even in casual writing, dangling modifiers create ambiguity or unintended humor.

Explanation

Even in casual writing, dangling modifiers create ambiguity or unintended humor.

Revision Skills: Eliminating Dangling Modifiers Quiz

1. Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?

2. Fill in the blank: A dangling modifier lacks a clear __________ performing the action it describes.

3. True or False: A dangling modifier always begins with a prepositional phrase.

4. Choose the correct revision for this sentence: “After watching the movie, the popcorn was gone.”

5. Fill in the blank: Dangling modifiers often occur when writers place a descriptive phrase too __________ from the noun it modifies.

6. Match each sentence with the correct correction:

7. Pick two reasons dangling modifiers weaken writing.

8. Fill in the blank: “Having studied all night, the test was easy” should be rewritten as “Having studied all night, __________ found the test easy.”

9. True or False: Revising a dangling modifier sometimes requires changing the verb tense.

10. Choose the correct version of this sentence: “Walking into the classroom, the lesson had already started.”

11. Fill in the blank: A dangling modifier may sound like it modifies the __________ noun, even when that isn’t intended.

12. Match the incorrect sentence to its logical fix:

13. Pick two strategies for avoiding dangling modifiers.

14. Fill in the blank: “To reach the summit, stamina was required” can be rewritten as “To reach the summit, __________ needed stamina.”

15. True or False: Dangling modifiers are acceptable in informal writing because meaning is always understood.