Question 24

My brother had an old truck that sat by the garage that needed paint contains a dangling modifier.

This sentence contains a dangling modifier because the phrase "that needed paint" is misplaced, creating ambiguity about which noun it modifies. It suggests that "the garage" needs paint instead of the "old truck."

A) The contented puppy sat by the sleeping young child

This sentence is clear and does not contain a dangling modifier. Both the subject and the modifier are correctly placed, indicating that the puppy is content and the child is asleep.

B) Drivers in our state are confused by the outdated driving law

This sentence is straightforward and lacks a dangling modifier. It clearly states that the drivers are confused, with no ambiguity regarding what is being modified.

C) Adequate lighting is important for anyone who is studying or reading

No dangling modifier is present in this sentence. The structure clearly indicates that "adequate lighting" is important for the subjects "anyone who is studying or reading," maintaining clarity throughout.

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

This option contains a dangling modifier because it creates confusion about whether it is the truck or the garage that requires paint. The placement of the modifier leads to ambiguity, making it the correct answer.

Conclusion

The correct answer, D, clearly demonstrates a dangling modifier due to its ambiguous phrasing, which misleads the reader regarding what requires paint. In contrast, options A, B, and C are structured clearly and correctly, without any modifiers that could lead to confusion. Option D’s structure makes it the only choice exhibiting the dangling modifier issue.