ตัวอย่างข้อสอบgmat MISPLACED MODIFIERS

_{MISPLACED MODIFIERS}

As a general rule, a modifier should be placed as close as possible to what it modifies.

Example:

Following are some useful tips for protecting your person and property from the FBI.

As written, the sentence implies that the FBI is a threat to your person and property. To correct the sentence put the modifier from the FBI next to the word it modifies, tips:

Following are some useful tips from the FBI for protecting your person and property.

When a phrase begins a sentence, make sure that it modifies the subject of the sentence.

Example:

Coming around the corner, a few moments passed before I could recognize my old home.

As worded, the sentence implies that the moments were coming around the corner. The sentence can be corrected as follows:

As I came around the corner, a few moments passed before I could recognize my old home.

or

Coming around the corner, I paused a few moments before I could recognize my old home.

Example:

By focusing on poverty, the other causes of crime--such as the breakup of the nuclear family, changing morals, the loss of community, etc.--have been overlooked by sociologists.

(A) the other causes of crime--such as the breakup of the nuclear family, changing morals, the loss of community, etc.--have been overlooked by sociologists.
(B) the other causes of crime have been overlooked by sociologists--such as the breakup of the nuclear family, changing morals, the loss of community, etc.
(C) there are other causes of crime that have been overlooked by sociologists--such as the breakup of the nuclear family, changing morals, the loss of community, etc.
(D) crimes--such as the breakup of the nuclear family, changing morals, the loss of community, etc.--have been overlooked by sociologists.
(E) sociologists have overlooked the other causes of crime--such as the breakup of the nuclear family, changing morals, the loss of community, etc.

Choice (A) is incorrect since it implies that the other causes of crime are doing the focusing.

Choice (B) has the same flaw.

Choice (C) is incorrect. The phrase by focusing on poverty must modify the subject of the sentence, but there cannot be the subject since the construction there are is used to introduce a subject.

Choice (D) implies that crimes are focusing on poverty.

Choice (E) puts the subject of the sentence sociologists immediately next to its modifying phrase by focusing on poverty. The answer is (E).