Exercise: Dangling modifiers

In each of the following items, select the choice that corrects any dangling modifier in the original sentence. If the original sentence does not contain a dangling modifier, click on “No change.”

Click Submit after each question to see feedback and to record your answer. If your instructor has assigned this exercise set, you must answer every question before your answers will be submitted to the gradebook.

1 of 10

The attention of television viewers is pursued by emphasizing fires and murders.

A. By emphasizing fires and murders, the attention of television viewers is pursued.

B. Television news producers pursue the attention of television viewers by emphasizing fires and murders.

C. No change.

2 of 10

Interviewing grieving relatives, no consideration is shown for their privacy.

A. When interviewing grieving relatives, reporters show no consideration for their privacy.

B. Interviewing grieving relatives, privacy is not considered.

C. No change.

3 of 10

Providing comic relief, heat waves and blizzards are attributed to the weather forecaster.

A. Providing comic relief, attributed to the weather forecaster are heat waves and blizzards.

B. Providing comic relief, newscasters attribute heat waves and blizzards to the weather forecaster.

C. No change.

4 of 10

Earning higher ratings with a focus on local tragedies, broadcast news shows may ignore important global events.

A. Earning higher ratings with a focus on local tragedies, substantive stories about global events may lack appeal for viewers.

B. Earning higher ratings with a focus on local tragedies, viewers may ignore substantive stories about global events.

C. No change.

5 of 10

As a visual medium, complex issues are hard to present in a televised format.

A. As a visual medium, in a televised format, complex issues are hard to present.

B. As a visual medium, television is not suited to presenting complex issues.

C. No change.

6 of 10

However unhappy, my part-time job is something that helps pay my rent.

A. However unhappy I am with my part-time job, it helps pay my rent.

B. However unhappy, my rent is partially paid by my part-time job.

C. No change.

However unhappy, my part-time job is something that helps pay my rent.

7 of 10

While attending a performance at Ford’s Theatre, Lincoln’s assassination shocked the nation.

A. Attending a performance at Ford’s Theatre, the nation was shocked by Lincoln’s assassination.

B. Attending a performance at Ford’s Theatre, Lincoln was assassinated, and his death shocked the nation.

C. No change.

8 of 10

When waiters are faced with a busy restaurant full of hungry people, their jobs can become very stressful.

A. A waiter’s job can become very stressful when faced with a busy restaurant full of hungry people.

B. Faced with a busy restaurant full of hungry people, a waiter’s job can become very stressful.

C. No change.

9 of 10

Singing in the shower, the water suddenly turned cold.

A. Singing in the shower, I suddenly felt the water turn cold.

B. Singing in the shower, how cold the water suddenly became.

C. No change.

10 of 10

No matter how costly, my family insists that I go to college.

A. My family insists that I go to college no matter how costly.

B. No matter how costly a college education may be, my family insists that I go to college.

C. No change.