Question 15

My brother had an old truck that sat by the garage that needed paint.

This sentence contains a dangling modifier because it suggests that "the garage" needs paint, rather than the truck, which is the intended subject. The structure implies a misalignment between the modifier and the noun it is meant to describe.

A) My brother had an old truck that sat by the garage that needed paint.

This option is correct as it contains a dangling modifier. The phrase "that needed paint" is intended to modify "the truck," but due to its placement, it mistakenly modifies "the garage," leading to confusion in meaning.

B) Adequate lighting is important for anyone who is studying or reading.

This sentence is clear and correctly structured. There are no modifiers that mislead or create ambiguity about what is being described, making it free from dangling modifiers.

C) Drivers in our state are confused by the outdated driving law.

This option is straightforward and lacks any modifiers that could create confusion. The sentence clearly communicates that "drivers" are confused, without any dangling constructions.

D) The contented puppy sat by the sleeping young child.

This sentence is also clear and free of dangling modifiers. It effectively describes the puppy and the child in a straightforward manner without any misleading phrases.

Conclusion

The correct answer, A, illustrates a dangling modifier that creates confusion about what needs paint. In contrast, options B, C, and D maintain clarity and grammatical correctness, demonstrating effective sentence structure without ambiguity. Thus, A is definitively identified as the only sentence that improperly uses a modifier.