Question 1

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. The train picked up speed. The train rumbled out of the station.
A) The train rumbled out of the station picking up speed.
B) Picking up speed, the train rumbled out of the station.

Accepted Answer

"Picking up speed, the train rumbled out of the station." correctly uses an -ING modifier at the beginning of the sentence to indicate that the train was gaining speed as it was leaving the station, effectively combining the two actions into one smooth sentence.

Question 2

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. A van hit the pole. The van careened out of control.
A) Hitting the pole, careening out of control.
B) Careening out of control, a van hit the pole.

Accepted Answer

The correct combination using an -ING modifier is "Careening out of control, a van hit the pole." This sentence correctly uses "careening out of control" as a present participle phrase to describe the manner in which the van hit the pole.

Question 3

Select the sentence that contains a confusing - ING modifier.
A) Rowing the boat along the shore, Gerald spotted a deer.
B) Gerald spotted a deer rowing the boat along the shore.

Accepted Answer

In sentence B, the -ING modifier "rowing the boat along the shore" incorrectly modifies "a deer," suggesting that the deer is rowing the boat, which is illogical and confusing.

Question 4

Select the sentence that contains a confusing - ING modifier.
A) Going through customs, her passport was stamped.
B) Her passport was stamped as she went through customs.

Accepted Answer

In sentence A, "Going through customs" incorrectly modifies "her passport," suggesting that the passport is performing the action, which creates confusion. Sentence B correctly associates the action with "she," making it clear who is going through customs.

Question 5

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. A woman sat in a lawn chair on the roof. A woman watched the fireworks.
A) A woman sitting in a lawn chair on the roof watched the fireworks.
B) A woman watched the fireworks sitting in a lawn chair on the roof.

Accepted Answer

Option A correctly combines the two sentences by using "sitting" as an -ING modifier to describe the woman's action of watching the fireworks while she is in a specific location (in a lawn chair on the roof).

Question 6

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. Jesse Jo ate dinner. Jesse Jo told him about her day.
A) Eating dinner, Jesse Jo told him about her day.
B) Jesse Jo told him about her day eating dinner.

Accepted Answer

"Eating dinner, Jesse Jo told him about her day." correctly uses an -ING modifier to combine the two actions into one sentence, indicating that Jesse Jo was eating dinner at the time she told him about her day.

Question 7

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. The sailor scanned the horizon. The sailor sighted land.
A) The sailor sighted land scanning the horizon.
B) Scanning the horizon, the sailor sighted land.

Accepted Answer

"Scanning the horizon, the sailor sighted land." correctly uses an -ING modifier to combine the two actions into a single sentence, indicating that the action of scanning the horizon led to the action of sighting land.

Question 8

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. Irene pulled up to the drive-in window. Irene recited her fast-food order.
A) Pulling up to the drive-in window, Irene recited her fast-food order.
B) Irene recited her fast-food order pulling up to the drive-in window.

Accepted Answer

Option A correctly uses an -ING modifier ("Pulling up to the drive-in window") at the beginning of the sentence to indicate that Irene recited her order as she was pulling up, making the action simultaneous and connected.

Question 9

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. The pickpocket slipped my wallet out of my pocket. The pickpocket bumped me gently.
A) Bumping me gently, the pickpocket slipped my wallet out of my pocket.
B) The pickpocket slipped my wallet out of my pocket bumping me gently.

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is A because it correctly uses an -ING modifier ("Bumping me gently") at the beginning of the sentence to describe how the pickpocket was able to slip the wallet out of the pocket. This structure clearly connects the action of bumping with the action of slipping the wallet out, indicating that the bumping facilitated the theft.

Question 10

Select the sentence that contains a confusing - ING modifier.
A) Dr. James showed us the mixture of chemicals bubbling in a test tube.
B) Bubbling in a test tube, Dr. James showed us the mixture of chemicals.

Accepted Answer

In sentence B, the -ING modifier "Bubbling in a test tube" incorrectly modifies "Dr. James" instead of the intended "mixture of chemicals," making it sound as if Dr. James is the one bubbling in a test tube.

Question 11

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. Holly raked the leaves. Holly said hello to her neighbor.
A) Raking the leaves, Holly said hello to her neighbor.
B) Holly raked the leaves saying hello to her neighbor.

Accepted Answer

Option A correctly combines the two sentences by using "Raking the leaves" as an -ING modifier that describes what Holly was doing when she said hello to her neighbor.

Question 12

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. The scientist studied changes in the atmosphere. The scientist predicted damage to the ozone layer.
A) Studying changes in the atmosphere, the scientist predicted damage to the ozone layer.
B) The scientist predicted damage to the ozone layer studying changes in the atmosphere.

Accepted Answer

The correct option is A because it uses the -ING modifier ("Studying changes in the atmosphere") at the beginning of the sentence to modify the subject ("the scientist"), clearly indicating that the action of studying is what led to the prediction of damage to the ozone layer.

Question 13

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. The traffic officer waved his hands wildly. The traffic officer tried to slow down the oncoming traffic.
A) Waving his hands wildly, the traffic officer tried to slow down the oncoming traffic.
B) The traffic officer tried to slow down the oncoming traffic waving his hands wildly.

Accepted Answer

Option A correctly uses an -ING modifier ("Waving his hands wildly") at the beginning of the sentence to describe how the traffic officer tried to slow down the oncoming traffic, making the action simultaneous and directly related.

Question 14

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. Lakshmi typed in the search words. Lakshmi began to research.
A) Typing in the search words, Lakshmi began to research.
B) Lakshmi began to research typing in the search words.

Accepted Answer

Option A correctly uses an -ING modifier ("Typing in the search words") to combine the two actions into one sentence, indicating that Lakshmi began to research by typing in the search words.

Question 15

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. Larry cleaned the fish tank. Larry found his old eyeglasses.
A) Larry found his old eyeglasses cleaning the fish tank.
B) Cleaning the fish tank, Larry found his old eyeglasses.

Accepted Answer

Option B correctly uses the -ING modifier "Cleaning the fish tank" at the beginning of the sentence to indicate that Larry found his old eyeglasses while he was in the process of cleaning the fish tank.

Question 16

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. Carsten and Zach saw each other. They embraced.
A) Carsten and Zach embraced seeing each other.
B) Seeing each other, Carsten and Zach embraced.

Accepted Answer

The correct combination using an -ING modifier is "Seeing each other, Carsten and Zach embraced," as it clearly indicates that the action of seeing each other led to them embracing.

Question 17

Select the sentence that contains a confusing - ING modifier.
A) Lying under the table, my aunt found her napkin.
B) My aunt found her napkin lying under the table.

Accepted Answer

In sentence A, "Lying under the table" incorrectly suggests that it was the aunt lying under the table, not the napkin, making it a confusing -ING modifier.

Question 18

Select the sentence that contains a confusing - ING modifier.
A) Strolling down Chauncey Street, the sun lit the lawns and porches.
B) Strolling down Chauncey Street, we saw sun-lit lawns and porches.

Accepted Answer

In sentence A, "Strolling down Chauncey Street" incorrectly modifies "the sun," implying that the sun is strolling, which is illogical. Sentence B correctly has "we" as the subject doing the strolling, making the modifier appropriate.

Question 19

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. The dolphins leaped in and out of the water. The dolphins passed the boat.
A) Leaping in and out of the water, the dolphins passed the boat.
B) The dolphins passed the boat leaping in and out of the water.

Accepted Answer

Option A correctly uses an -ING modifier ("Leaping in and out of the water") at the beginning of the sentence to describe how the dolphins passed the boat, making the action simultaneous and related.

Question 20

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. I live on the outskirts of town. I can't ride the bus to work.
A) I can't ride the bus to work living on the outskirts of town.
B) Living on the outskirts of town, I can't ride the bus to work.

Accepted Answer

Option B correctly uses an -ING modifier ("Living on the outskirts of town") at the beginning of the sentence to provide a reason for the main clause ("I can't ride the bus to work").

Quiz 22: Ing Modifiers

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. The train picked up speed. The train rumbled out of the station.

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. A van hit the pole. The van careened out of control.

Select the sentence that contains a confusing - ING modifier.

Select the sentence that contains a confusing - ING modifier.

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. A woman sat in a lawn chair on the roof. A woman watched the fireworks.

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. Jesse Jo ate dinner. Jesse Jo told him about her day.

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. The sailor scanned the horizon. The sailor sighted land.

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. Irene pulled up to the drive-in window. Irene recited her fast-food order.

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. The pickpocket slipped my wallet out of my pocket. The pickpocket bumped me gently.

Select the sentence that contains a confusing - ING modifier.

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. Holly raked the leaves. Holly said hello to her neighbor.

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. The scientist studied changes in the atmosphere. The scientist predicted damage to the ozone layer.

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. The traffic officer waved his hands wildly. The traffic officer tried to slow down the oncoming traffic.

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. Lakshmi typed in the search words. Lakshmi began to research.

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. Larry cleaned the fish tank. Larry found his old eyeglasses.

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. Carsten and Zach saw each other. They embraced.

Select the sentence that contains a confusing - ING modifier.

Select the sentence that contains a confusing - ING modifier.

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. The dolphins leaped in and out of the water. The dolphins passed the boat.

For each of the following pairs of sentences, select the answer that correctly combines the two using an -ING modifier. I live on the outskirts of town. I can't ride the bus to work.