EASY

1. Previously thought to have been extinct, a team of biologists rediscovered the New Caledonia crested gecko in 1994.

a) a team of biologists rediscovered the New Caledonia crested gecko in 1994.
b) a team of biologists, in 1994, rediscovered the New Caledonia crested gecko.
c) in 1994 the New Caledonia crested gecko was rediscovered by a team of biologists.
d) and discovered by a team of biologists in 1994 was the New Caledonia crested gecko.
e) the New Caledonia crested gecko was rediscovered by a team of biologists in 1994.

 

Explanation: This question tests modifiers. The modifier ‘Previously thought to have been extinct’ refers to the New Caledonia crested gecko. Thus the modifier must immediately precede that which it is modifying. Only (E) does this. (A) and (B) change the meaning of the sentence to make the biologists appear to have been extinct, while in (C) and (D) the modifier is not modifying anything at all.

HARD

2. Erasmus's tomb lies inside the Basel Munster, located in Switzerland, an architectural monument which having survived medieval earthquakes, and remains one of Switzerland's most well-known buildings to this day.

a) Erasmus's tomb lies inside the Basel Munster, located in Switzerland, an architectural monument which having survived medieval earthquakes, and
b) Erasmus's tomb lies inside Switzerland's Basel Munster, an architectural monument which survived medieval earthquakes and
c) Switzerland's Basel Munster, a monument of architecture which survived medieval earthquakes, houses Erasmus's tomb
d) The Basel Munster, in Switzerland, an architectural monument which, having survived medieval earthquakes, is now home to the tomb of Erasmus
e) The tomb of Erasmus, being housed inside Switzerland's Basel Munster, is an architectural monument which survived medieval earthquakes and

Explanation: This question tests misplaced modifiers, as well as changes in meaning and wordiness. Choice A places the modifier ('an architectural monument…') directly after 'Switzerland', which, though not as confusing as some misplaced modifiers, is still incorrect, as other choices are offered which place the modifier closer to the intended subject, 'Basel Munster'. Choice C, while free of grammatical errors, changes the meaning of the sentence by making the Basel Munster the subject of the sentence instead of Erasmus's tomb. Choice D does the same, and is also excessively wordy and omits the necessary 'and' at the end of the underlined portion. Choice E is excessively wordy, and includes the word 'being', which is awkward in this context. Choice B, the best choice, is free of grammatical and stylistic errors, and maintains the meaning of the original sentence.

Misplaced Modifiers

3. PARALLELISM