FTCE - General Knowledge Questions with Correct Solutions Graded to Pass

Skill 1.1 Evaluate correct placement of modifiers. - Phrases that are not placed near the word they modify often result in misplaced modifiers. Phrases that do not relate to the subject being modified result in dangling modifiers. Modifier - 1) Can be a word or group of words (phrase). 2) A modifier describes, clarifies, or gives more detail about other words in a sentence. Misplaced Modifiers - 1) is when a modifier is in the wrong place in a sentence. 2) They make sentences awkward, confusing, or (unintentionally) humorous. Misplaced Modifier Example - Misplaced modifier: Buffy called her adorable kitten opening the can of food and filled the bowl. Correctly placed modifier: Opening the can of food, Buffy called her adorable kitten and filled the bowl. Dangling Modifiers - 1) Do not sensibly modify anything in their sentence. 2) Modifier is present, but it has nothing to modify. 3) Often occur at the beginning or end of a sentence. 4) Often indicated by an "-ing" verb or a "to +" verb phrase. How to correct dangling modifiers? - 1) Name the appropriate or logical doer of the action as the subject of the main clause 2) Place the subject of the action within the dangling modifier. 3) Combine the phrase and clause. Dangling Modifier Example - What is the modifier modifying? Having finished dinner, the rugby match was turned on. 1. Name the appropriate doer of the action as the subject of the main clause. * Having finished dinner, Jude turned on the rugby match. 2. Place the subject of the action within the dangling modifier: * After Jude finished dinner, he turned on the rugby match. 3. Combine the phrase and clause. * Jude turned on the rugby match after finishing dinner. Parallel Structure - 1) Using the same pattern of words to show that 2 or more ideas are equally important. 2) Applies to words, phrases, or clauses. 3) Usually use coordinating conjunctions ("and," "or") to join parallel structures. Common Types of Parallel Structure - 1) Parallel with the -ing form (gerund) of verbs: * Mary likes hiking, swimming, and bicycling. 2) Parallel with infinitive verb phrases: * Mary likes to hike, to swim, and to ride a bicycle. * Mary likes to hike, swim, and ride a bicycle. Parallel Structure Example - How can you correct this sentence? The sales rep expected that he would present his product at the meeting, that there would be time for him to show his slide presentation, and that questions would be asked by prospective buyers. Answer: The salesman expected that he would present his product at the meeting, that there would be time for him to show his slide presentation, and that prospective buyers would ask him questions. Each clause starts with "that" + subject + "would" + verb Error Modifier Sentence A - Weighing the options carefully, a decision was made regarding the punishment of the convicted murderer. Problem with Modifier Sentence A - Who is weighing the options? No one capable of weighing is named in the sentence; thus, the participle phrase weighing the options carefully dangles. This problem can be corrected by adding a subject to the sentence who is capable of doing the action. Correction to Modifier Sentence A - Weighing the options carefully, the judge made a decision regarding the punishment of the convicted murderer. Error Modifier Sentence B - Returning to my favorite watering hole brought back many fond memories. Problem with Modifier Sentence B - The person who returned is never indicated, and the participle phrase dangles. This problem can be corrected by creating a dependent clause from the modifying phrase. Correction to Modifier Sentence B - When I returned to my favorite watering hole, many fond memories came back to me. Error Modifier Sentence C - One damaged house stood only to remind townspeople of the hurricane. Problem with Modifier Sentence C - The placement of the modifier only suggests that the sole reason the house remained was to serve as a reminder. The misplaced modifier creates ambiguity. This problem can be corrected by moving the modifier. Correction to Modifier Sentence C - Only one damaged house stood, reminding townspeople of the hurricane. Error Modifier Sentence D - Recovered from the five-mile hike, the obstacle course was a piece of cake for the Boy Scout troop Problem with Modifier Sentence D - Th e obstacle course is not recovered from the five-mile hike, so the modifying phrase must be placed closer to the word that it modifies, troop. Correction to Modifier Sentence D - The obstacle course was a piece of cake for the Boy Scout troop, which had just recovered from a five-mile hike. Error Modifier Sentence E - He barely kicked that ball twenty yards Problem with Sentence E - MISPLACED MODIFIER - Some modifiers, especially simple modifiers — only, just, nearly, barely — have a bad habit of slipping into the wrong place in a sentence. (In the sentence below, what does it mean to "barely kick" something?)