Question

1. which sentence contains a dangling modifier?

a. having just finished a tough book report, alyssa looked forward to a relaxing weekend with her family.
b. feeling the bus move forward, sam was happy to be on his way home.
c. before getting devoured by my hungry brothers, mother was able to quickly snatch the cookies.
d. to get rid of pesky ants, there are three main steps to follow.

1. which of the following sentences is the correct revision of \studying the unappetizing plate of food, all appetite was lost\?

a. all appetite was lost studying the unappetizing plate of food.
b. studying the unappetizing plate of food, i lost all appetite.
c. the unappetizing plate of food made everyone lose their appetite.
d. the unappetizing plate of food was studied, and all appetite was lost.

1. how does the martian setting influence the bittering family’s experience?

a. it makes them feel more at home than on earth.
b. it encourages them to leave mars immediately.
c. it allows them to rebuild earth exactly as it was.
d. it causes gradual physical and emotional changes in the family.

1. which character’s fear most strongly drives the story’s tension?

a. cora bittering, because she accepts change immediately.
b. harry bittering, because he resists the transformation and wants to return to earth.
c. the children, because they are unaware of the changes.
grade 7
© houghton mifflin harcourt publishing company 5 selection test

Explanation:

Question 23

A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in the sentence. In option C, "Before getting devoured by my hungry brothers" seems to modify "Mother", but logically, the cookies (not Mother) would be devoured. In A, the modifier "Having just finished a tough book report" correctly modifies Alyssa. In B, "Feeling the bus move forward" modifies Sam. In D, "To get rid of pesky ants" is a purpose clause, and the subject "there" is acceptable in the context of steps. So C has the dangling modifier.

The original sentence "Studying the unappetizing plate of food, all appetite was lost" has a dangling modifier because "studying" should modify a person. Option B adds "I" as the subject doing the studying, making the modifier "Studying the unappetizing plate of food" correctly modify "I". Option A still has a dangling modifier (appetite can't study). Option C and D don't use the participial phrase structure of the original to revise it; they rephrase instead of correcting the modifier.

In the story about the Bittering family on Mars, the Martian setting causes them to undergo gradual physical (like hair changing color) and emotional (changing attitudes toward Earth and Mars) changes. Option A is wrong as they initially feel out of place. Option B is wrong as they don't immediately leave; they stay and change. Option C is wrong as they can't rebuild Earth exactly. Option D matches the effects of the Martian environment on the family.

Answer:

C. Before getting devoured by my hungry brothers, Mother was able to quickly snatch the cookies.

Question 24