Got it? One of the major obstacles some people have to overcome is not the grammar (they know the grammar already), but the fact that they focus on the wrong things. Speaking of which, here are some problems for you to practice on. See how fast you can finish them.
You can literally do this question in 10 seconds if you know what to look for.
The agency reports that by rigorously enforcing state regulations, industrial pollution has been successfully reduced to acceptable levels.
(A) industrial pollution has been successfully reduced to acceptable levels.
(B) acceptable levels of industrial pollution have been successfully reduced.
(C) a reduction of industrial pollution to acceptable levels has succeeded.
(D) they have succeeded to reduce industrial pollution to acceptable levels.
(E) it has succeeded in reducing industrial pollution to acceptable levels.
That's right. It's a dangling modifier problem. Don't ever be stuck on a dangling modifier problem. They are too freaking easy. Again, here's how you do them:
STEP 1: "The agency reports that by rigorously enforcing state regulations," is a dependent clause introducing the next independent clause.
STEP 2: Logically, the main subject (the noun immediately following the comma) should be able to "enforce" state regulations.
STEP 3: (A) is wrong. "Industrial pollution" can't enforce. (B) is wrong. "Acceptable levels" can't enforce. (C) is wrong. "A reduction" can't enforce. So we have (D) and (E) left. (D) is wrong because it is plural and we are talking about one agency. (E) is the correct answer. I didn't have to read anything else in that problem--just the dependent clause and the first two words of every answer choice. Again, you should be able to do these questions in 10 seconds (I did it in 5).
Take a look at this one. You should be able to finish it in 3 seconds.
Believing for the first time that she could win the race, Amy's speed increased despite her utter exhaustion.
(A) Amy's speed increased despite her utter exhaustion
(B) Amy found the strength to increase her speed despite her exhaustion
(C) Amy's utter exhaustion did not stop her from speeding up
(D) her exhaustion could not stop Amy from running faster
(E) Amy increasing her speed despite being exhausted
(A) has "Amy's speed", not "Amy" (this is a very common and recognizable SAT trick.). (C) has "Amy's utter exhaustion". Wrong. (D) has "her exhaustion" so it is wrong. (E) uses an "-ing" verb when you're not supposed to, "increasing" (this is a very common SAT trick as well), so the answer is (B).
Do the following dangling modifier problems (courtesy of PWN the SAT). GoGoGoGoGo!!!
1. Formerly the lead singer of the popular band Soul Coughing, it was no surprise that the release of Mike Doughty's first solo record was highly anticipated.
(A) it was no surprise that the release of Mike Doughty's
(B) Mike Doughty's
(C) Mike Doughty's solo career began well when his
(D) Mike Doughty should not have been surprised that his
(E) nobody was surprised when Mike Doughty's
2. Having consumed nothing but smoothies for three days, Kerri was ecstatic when the surgeon told her she could eat solid food again.
(A) Kerri was ecstatic when the surgeon told her
(B) Kerri's excitement was understandable when the surgeon told her
(C) the surgeon was used to reactions like Kerri's when he said
(D) Kerri will be ecstatic when the surgeon tells her
(E) excitement overwhelmed her when the surgeon told Kerri
3. Speaking to reporters about the night's loss, the manager said the complete meltdown of the relief pitching staff.
(A) Speaking to reporters about the night's loss, the manager said
(B) The manager said to the reporters that the reason for the night's loss was because of
(C) Speaking to reporters after the game, the manager blamed the night's loss on
(D) Asking questions about the night's loss, the manager answered the reporters by blaming
(E) Inquiring about the reason for the loss, the manager told reporters it was because of
4. Accustomed to traveling with bodyguards, fans surprised the actress when she was alone in the airport and she was rude to them, paparazzi caught the incident on video.
(A) fans surprised the actress when she was alone in the airport and she was rude to them,
(B) fans surprised the actress when she was alone in the airport and she was rude to them;
(C) the surprised actress was rude to the fans who found her alone in the airport, and
(D) the actress was surprised when, being alone, she was approached by and was rude to fans;
(E) the actress was alone when she was approached by fans and was therefore rude to them,
Answers
1. D
2. A
3. C
4. C
For explanations, visit PWN the SAT.
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