Dangling Misplaced Modifiers Quiz Questions
Grammar quiz for ENG331 at NCSU Spring 2015by Patrick Templeton
- 1.
While reading this sentence, there is a dangling modifier.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
The sentence does contain a dangling modifier because it does not state who is reading the sentence. "While you are reading this sentence" would fix it.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Which sentence contains a dangling/misplaced modifier?
- A.
People have problems with dangling modifiers because they get confused.
- B.
Since they are tricky, dangling modifiers sometimes confuse people.
- C.
All too often, misplaced modifiers modify the wrong target.
Correct Answer
A. People have problems with dangling modifiers because they get confused.Explanation
In the "People have problems..." sentence, "...because they get confused" modifies "dangling modifiers" instead of the intended target "People."Rate this question:
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- 3.
You can find a misplaced modifier while you're reading this sentence.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
There are no misplaced or dangling modifiers in the sentence.Rate this question:
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- 4.
What are the possible targets of the modifier in the following sentence?Due to their great personality, the Oswalds have always wanted beagles.
- A.
Their
- B.
Personality
- C.
Oswalds
- D.
Beagles
Correct Answer(s)
C. Oswalds
D. BeaglesExplanation
"Their personality" is supposed to refer to beagles, but modifies "the Oswalds" instead.Rate this question:
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- 5.
What is the best way to fix the following sentence?Because he was being a brat, Frank's dad didn't take him to the cookout.
- A.
Because Frank was being a brat, his dad didn't take him to the cookout.
- B.
Frank's dad didn't take him to the cookout because he was being a brat.
- C.
Because he was being a brat, Frank's dad didn't take him to the cookout.
Correct Answer
A. Because Frank was being a brat, his dad didn't take him to the cookout.Explanation
The original sentence implies that Frank's dad is the brat, but it is actually Frank.Rate this question:
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- 6.
What is the apparent target of the modifier clause?After failing to achieve the desired results, numbers were fudged in the experiment.
- A.
Results
- B.
Numbers
- C.
Experiment
Correct Answer
B. NumbersExplanation
The (erroneous) arrangement of this sentence suggests that the numbers failed to achieve the desired results. A better version would be "After failing to achieve the desired results, the researchers fudged the numbers in the experiment."Rate this question:
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- 7.
Consider the following sentence:His computer crashed before finishing the assignment.The apparent target of "before finishing the assignment" is
- A.
His computer
- B.
Assignment
- C.
Him
Correct Answer
A. His computerExplanation
This sentence suggests (erroneously) that the computer was finishing the assignment. A better version would be "Before he could finish the assignment, his computer crashed."Rate this question:
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- 8.
How would you fix the following sentence?Approaching the intersection, the stoplight suddenly turned red.
- A.
While approaching the intersection, the stoplight suddenly turned red.
- B.
The stoplight suddenly turned red when approaching the intersection.
- C.
When the car was approaching the intersection, the stoplight suddenly turned red.
Correct Answer
C. When the car was approaching the intersection, the stoplight suddenly turned red.Explanation
The original sentence suggests that the stoplight is approaching the intersection, or in the best case leaves the modifier dangling. Adding a subject clears up the ambiguity.Rate this question:
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- 9.
How would you fix this sentence?Black bears are known to hunt people if they haven't eaten for a while.
- A.
If they haven't eaten for a while, black bears are known to hunt people.
- B.
Black bears are known to hunt people, if they haven't eaten for a while.
- C.
If they haven't eaten for a while, people are known to be hunted by black bears.
Correct Answer
A. If they haven't eaten for a while, black bears are known to hunt people.Explanation
It is the black bears who have not eaten. The other two sentences imply that it is the people who have not eaten, but it is the bear's hunger that matters, not the people's.Rate this question:
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Feb 04, 2015Quiz Created by
Pttemple
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