Multiple choice softskills communication

Spanning more than 50 years, Friedrich Müller began his career in an unpromising apprenticeship as a Sanskrit scholar and culminated in virtually every honor that European governments and learned societies could bestow.

  1. M?ller began his career in an unpromising

  2. M?ller’s career began in an unpromising

  3. M?ller’s career began with the unpromising

  4. M?ller had begun his career with the

  5. the career of M?ller has begun with an
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The introductory phrase 'Spanning more than 50 years' is a participial phrase that must modify the subject of the main clause. The logical subject of 'began his career' is 'Müller's career', not 'Müller' himself (a career can span 50 years, a person cannot 'begin' in an apprenticeship that spans 50 years). Option B 'Müller's career began in an unpromising apprenticeship' correctly places 'Müller's career' as the subject, making it the logical referent of the opening phrase. Options A, C, D, and E either use the wrong subject ('Müller' or 'the career') or incorrect tense/structure.

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