Scott- ELA 8 Misplaced Modifiers Quiz

1. The following sentence contains no misplaced modifiers. "This table was made by an old carpenter with carved legs."

True

False

The given sentence contains a misplaced modifier. The phrase "with carved legs" is modifying the old carpenter instead of the table. It suggests that the old carpenter has carved legs, which is incorrect. To correct this, the sentence could be rewritten as "This table, with carved legs, was made by an old carpenter."

Explanation

The given sentence contains a misplaced modifier. The phrase "with carved legs" is modifying the old carpenter instead of the table. It suggests that the old carpenter has carved legs, which is incorrect. To correct this, the sentence could be rewritten as "This table, with carved legs, was made by an old carpenter."

2. "A man drove past in a Corvette that was completely bald." Which of the following is a correct way to rewrite this sentence?

A completely bald Corvette, drove past with a man.

A man drove past in a completely bald Corvette.

A completely bald man in a Corvette past.

A man, that was completely bald, drove past in a Corvette.

The correct way to rewrite the sentence is "A man drove past in a completely bald Corvette." This sentence maintains the correct subject-verb-object structure and correctly describes the man driving past in a completely bald Corvette.

Explanation

The correct way to rewrite the sentence is "A man drove past in a completely bald Corvette." This sentence maintains the correct subject-verb-object structure and correctly describes the man driving past in a completely bald Corvette.

3. Which of the following sentences has an issue with a misplaced modifier?1- The man picked up the box of books with arthritis.2- The man with arthritis picked up the box of books.

Option 1

Option 2

Option 1 has an issue with a misplaced modifier. The sentence suggests that the man picked up the box of books using arthritis, which doesn't make sense. The phrase "with arthritis" should be placed closer to the noun it modifies, which is the man. Option 2 correctly places the modifier "with arthritis" next to the man, indicating that he is the one with arthritis.

Explanation

Option 1 has an issue with a misplaced modifier. The sentence suggests that the man picked up the box of books using arthritis, which doesn't make sense. The phrase "with arthritis" should be placed closer to the noun it modifies, which is the man. Option 2 correctly places the modifier "with arthritis" next to the man, indicating that he is the one with arthritis.

4. Which of the following sentences does not have an issue with a misplaced modifier?1- Jane stomped on the bug without shoes on.2- Without shoes on, Jane stomped on the bug.

Option 1

Option 2

Option 2 does not have an issue with a misplaced modifier. In this sentence, the modifier "Without shoes on" is correctly placed at the beginning of the sentence, clearly modifying the action of Jane stomping on the bug. The subject and the action are clearly stated, making the sentence grammatically correct.

Explanation

Option 2 does not have an issue with a misplaced modifier. In this sentence, the modifier "Without shoes on" is correctly placed at the beginning of the sentence, clearly modifying the action of Jane stomping on the bug. The subject and the action are clearly stated, making the sentence grammatically correct.

5. Which sentence is written grammatically correct?

Walking to the movies, the cloudburst drenched Jim.

Having been fixed the night before, Priscilla could use the car.

Looking toward the west, a funnel shaped cloud was noticed.

While reaching for the salt shaker, I dipped my elbow in ketchup.

The sentence "While reaching for the salt shaker, I dipped my elbow in ketchup" is written grammatically correct because it follows the correct structure of a dependent clause followed by an independent clause. The dependent clause "While reaching for the salt shaker" introduces the action that is happening simultaneously with the action in the independent clause "I dipped my elbow in ketchup." The sentence is also free from any grammatical errors or inconsistencies.

Explanation

The sentence "While reaching for the salt shaker, I dipped my elbow in ketchup" is written grammatically correct because it follows the correct structure of a dependent clause followed by an independent clause. The dependent clause "While reaching for the salt shaker" introduces the action that is happening simultaneously with the action in the independent clause "I dipped my elbow in ketchup." The sentence is also free from any grammatical errors or inconsistencies.

6. Which of the following sentences has an issue with a misplaced modifier?1- After buying lottery tickets, the man drove from his home, in his truck.2- The young woman returned to her home after buying groceries in her car.

Option 1

Option 2

Option 2 has an issue with a misplaced modifier. The phrase "after buying groceries in her car" is placed in the wrong position in the sentence. It should be placed directly after the noun it modifies, which is "the young woman." Therefore, the correct sentence should be "After buying groceries in her car, the young woman returned to her home."

Explanation

Option 2 has an issue with a misplaced modifier. The phrase "after buying groceries in her car" is placed in the wrong position in the sentence. It should be placed directly after the noun it modifies, which is "the young woman." Therefore, the correct sentence should be "After buying groceries in her car, the young woman returned to her home."

7. Which sentence is written grammatically incorrect?

Leaving quickly, I left my car lights on.

Carrying twenty pounds on our backs, the trail seemed very difficult.

In selecting a car, Linda had to take cost into account.

While exercising at the gym, my shirt tore.

The sentence "While exercising at the gym, my shirt tore" is written grammatically incorrect. The subject of the sentence, "my shirt," is not the one performing the action of tearing. It should be written as "While I was exercising at the gym, my shirt tore."

Explanation

The sentence "While exercising at the gym, my shirt tore" is written grammatically incorrect. The subject of the sentence, "my shirt," is not the one performing the action of tearing. It should be written as "While I was exercising at the gym, my shirt tore."