Question 212·Medium·Form, Structure, and Sense
Fascinated by the behavior of migrating butterflies, _____ detailed maps that revealed larger-scale patterns previously unnoticed.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
For modifier questions like this, first locate any introductory phrase (often ending with a comma) and immediately ask, 'Who or what is being described?' Then check that the noun right after the comma is the logical 'doer' of that description; if it is not, eliminate that choice for having a dangling or misplaced modifier. After that, quickly scan the remaining options for basic grammar (especially subject–verb agreement) and choose the one that is both correct and concise, usually in a clear active-voice structure.
Hints
Focus on the introductory phrase
Look at the words before the comma: 'Fascinated by the behavior of migrating butterflies.' Who or what is being described here?
Match the modifier to the subject
In Standard English, the noun right after an introductory phrase like this should be the thing that the phrase describes. Which choice puts a group of people (not an object or abstract idea) immediately after the comma?
Check for grammar and clarity
After you find the option that fixes the modifier, see if the sentence is grammatical (subject–verb agreement) and not wordy or awkwardly indirect.
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the sentence structure and modifier
Look at the sentence:
'Fascinated by the behavior of migrating butterflies, _____ detailed maps that revealed larger-scale patterns previously unnoticed.'
The phrase before the comma, 'Fascinated by the behavior of migrating butterflies,' is a participial phrase (a type of introductory modifier). It must clearly and logically describe the subject that comes right after the comma.
Decide who must be ‘fascinated’
Ask yourself: who is fascinated by the butterflies?
It must be people (the researchers), not an object or an abstract idea.
On the SAT, the noun or noun phrase immediately after such an introductory modifier must be the thing being described. So we need an option where a group of people comes right after the comma, and where that group is the one doing the action (creating the maps). Any choice that puts something non-human (like 'a series of maps,' 'the creation,' or 'a project') immediately after the comma will create an illogical, dangling modifier.
Check each choice for logic and grammar
Now test each option in the sentence:
-
A) a series of detailed maps were created by researchers from the University of Veracruz that revealed
This makes the maps seem 'fascinated,' which is illogical. It also has subject–verb disagreement: 'a series' is singular, so it should be 'was created,' not 'were created.' -
B) the creation of a series of detailed maps by researchers from the University of Veracruz revealed
Here, 'the creation' is what appears right after the comma, so it sounds like the creation was fascinated. That is illogical and creates a dangling modifier. It is also wordy. -
C) a project funded by the University of Veracruz resulted in creating
This makes 'a project' the thing that is fascinated, which is again illogical. It is also awkward and indirect ('resulted in creating'). -
D) researchers from the University of Veracruz created
Now the noun right after the comma is 'researchers,' which are people who can logically be fascinated, and they perform the action 'created detailed maps...' This is clear, grammatical, and concise.
Therefore, the correct answer is D) researchers from the University of Veracruz created.