Sentence Correction: Modifiers

Question 1 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

When five years old, my mother enrolled in medical school and she still says that once we truly understand and accept that studying medicine is difficult, then it is no longer difficult, because once it is accepted, the fact no longer matters.

When five years old, my mother enrolled in medical school
My mother, when I was five years old, enrolled in medical school
When my mother enrolled me in medical school, I was five years old
When I was five years old, my mother enrolled in medical school
My mother enrolled herself in medical school, when I was five years old

Question 2 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

The managing director of the company said on Saturday, any change in a personal business relationship should be brought to his notice.

The managing director of the company said on Saturday, any change in personal business relationship should be brought to his notice.
The managing director of the company on Saturday said, any change in personal business relationship should be brought to his notice.
The managing director of the company said, any change in personal business relationship should be brought to his notice by Saturday.
The managing director of the company said, any change in personal business relationships on Saturday should be brought to his notice.
On Saturday, the managing director of the company said, any change in the personal business relationship should be brought to his notice.

Question 3 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

The student advisor recommended that she studies more English before enrolling at the university.

that she studies more English before enrolling at the university
that she studied more English before she enrolled at the university
that she should study more English before enrolling at the university
that she study more English before enrolling at the university
that more English be studied by her before she enrolls at the university

Question 4 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Having convinced herself about the futility of any strict regimen, she ignored the suggestion that she should get more exercise.

she ignored the suggestion that she should get more exercise
she ignored the suggestion for more exercise
she ignored the suggestion for getting more of exercise
she ignored the suggestion that she get more exercise
she ignored the suggestion that she be getting more exercise

Question 5 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Rock music is so inviting and luxuriating that walking to the rock concert, the cloud burst drenched Adam, and rather than going back home for changing his clothes, he continued walking to the concert.

walking to the rock concert, the cloudburst drenched Adam
the cloudburst drenched Adam, walking to the rock concert
Adam was drenched by the cloudburst, walking to the rock concert
walking to the rock concert, Adam was drenched by the cloudburst
the cloudburst walking to the rock concert drenched Adam

Question 6 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Written in 1996, David Baldacci scored a literary hit with his thriller first novel, Absolute Power.

Written in 1996, David Baldacci scored a literary hit with his thriller first novel, Absolute Power.
Written in 1991, David Baldacci scored a literary hit with Absolute power, his thriller first novel.
Written in 1991, Absolute power, the first thriller novel by David Baldacci, was a literary hit.
Absolute power, which was written in 1996, by David Baldacci, scored a literary hit with his thriller first novel.
Absolute power the thriller first novel written in 1961 scored a literary hit for David Baldacci.

Question 7 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Looking toward the west, a funnel shaped cloud stirred up dust and a man came out of his house and cried, “we will go to extraordinary lengths to avoid our problems and the suffering they cause”.

Looking toward the west, a funnel shaped cloud stirred up dust
A funnel shaped cloud stirred up dust, looking toward the west
Looking toward the west, I saw a funnel shaped cloud stir up dust
While I was looking toward the west, a funnel shaped cloud stirred up dust

Question 8 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

With the usual display of semi-barbaric pomp, arrangements were made by Albert to engage in the perilous holy war, from which few ever returned.

arrangements were made by Albert to engage in the perilous holy war
Albert made arrangements to engage in the perilous holy war
arrangements are made by Albert to engage in the perilous holy war
arrangements are to be made by Albert to engage in the perilous holy war

Question 9 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

During audition, it is hoarse and throaty, but as such it is gentle and coherent.

During audition, it is hoarse and throaty, but as such it is gentle and coherent.
During audition, they are hoarse and throaty, but as such they are gentle and coherent.
During audition, they have hoarse and throaty voice, but as such they are gentle and coherent.
During audition, it is hoarse and throaty, but as such the voice is gentle and coherent.
During audition, the voice is hoarse and throaty, but otherwise it is gentle and coherent.

Question 10 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

During his youth, he used to work out ten times as much as he jogged, but today in his middle age he is doing less of it.

but today in his middle age he is doing less of it
but today in his middle age he is doing less of working out
but today in his middle age he is doing little of it
but today in his middle age he is doing less of either
but today in his middle age he is doing little of both

Question 11 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Having passed the examination, the college awarded him the best student medal.

the college awarded him the best student medal.
the college awarded him best student medal.
he was awarded the best student medal by the college.
the best student medal of the college was awarded to him.
he was awarded by the college the best student medal.

Question 12 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

But it hardly can ignore the long term impact of his rebellion and the message it sends to the party workers.

But it hardly can ignore the long term impact of
But it can hardly ignore the long term impact of
But it cannot ignore the long term impact of
But hardly can it ignore long term impact of
But it can ignore hardly the long term impact of

Question 13 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

The day of the opening Isabelle spent quietly at home, except for a ride in the Park.

The day of the opening Isabelle spent quietly at home, except for a ride in the Park.
Except for a ride in the park, the day of the opening Isabelle spent quietly at home.
Except for a ride in the Park, Isabelle spent the day of the opening quietly at home.
The day of the opening, except for a ride in the park, Isabelle spent quietly at home.

Question 14 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

The management of the company decided after the admissions got over to hold a small tea party.

after the admissions got over to hold a small tea party
to hold a small tea party after the admissions got over
after the admissions to plan a small tea party
after the admissions a small tea party to be held
a small tea party to be held after the exams got over

Question 15 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

The bitter cold the west is experiencing is potentially life threatening to stranded motorists unless well-insulated with protective clothing.

stranded motorists unless well-insulated
stranded motorists unless being insulated
stranded motorists unless they are well-insulated
stranded motorists unless there is insulation
the stranded motorists unless insulated

Question 16 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Let me tell you this is not simply possible.

Let me tell you this is not simply possible.
Let me tell you that this is not simply possible.
Let I tell you this is simply not possible.
Let me tell you that this is simply not possible.
Let me tell you this is not possible.

Question 17 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

I often have thought of writing a hymn on the Beauty of Viceroys; and have repeatedly attuned my mind to the subject.

I often have thought of writing a hymn on the Beauty of Viceroys
I have often thought to write a hymn on the Beauty of Viceroys
I have often thought of writing a hymn on the Beauty of Viceroys
I have often thought of writing a hymn for the Beauty of Viceroys
Often have I thought of writing a hymn for the Beauty of Viceroys

Question 18 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

When the First World War was over, no nation had either been isolated in war or peace.

either been isolated in war or peace.
been either isolated in war peace.
been isolated neither in war nor peace.
been isolated either in war or in peace.

Question 19 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

You hardly exercise with that ball for ten minutes and your mind goes into a much relaxed state.

You hardly exercise with that ball for ten minutes
You exercise hardly with that ball for ten minutes
You exercise with that ball hardly for ten minutes
You exercise with that ball for ten hard minutes
You exercise with that ball for hardly ten minutes

Sentence Correction: Modifiers

Questions