Question 74·Medium·Form, Structure, and Sense
Motivated by a desire to preserve local history, ______ two years collecting oral histories from elder residents of the town.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
For questions about standard English sentence structure, always identify any introductory phrase (often ending with a comma) and then check that the noun right after the comma is the one being described. Plug each answer choice into the sentence, eliminate any option that creates a dangling or misplaced modifier, makes a non-human thing "do" a human action, or introduces awkward repetition or wordiness. Choose the option that yields a clear, concise, and logically structured sentence.
Hints
Look at the introductory phrase
Focus on the part before the comma: "Motivated by a desire to preserve local history." Ask yourself: who is motivated here?
Check what follows the comma
In good sentences, an introductory phrase usually describes the noun that comes immediately after the comma. Look for the choice that puts the logically motivated person right after the comma.
Plug in and listen for errors
Try each option in the blank and read the full sentence out loud (or in your head). Watch for sentences that (1) make it sound like a non-human thing is "motivated" or (2) repeat "two years" or "oral histories" in an odd or confusing way.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the sentence structure
The sentence begins with an introductory phrase: "Motivated by a desire to preserve local history," followed by a comma and a blank. After the blank come the words "two years collecting oral histories from elder residents of the town." So the blank must complete the main clause by adding a subject and verb that connect logically to this phrase.
Match the introductory phrase with the correct subject
The phrase "Motivated by a desire to preserve local history" should logically describe a person, not a thing. In correct English, the noun right after the comma is what the introductory phrase describes. Eliminate any options that would make it sound like a project or "oral histories" were motivated by a desire to preserve local history.
Check for complete, clear, non-repetitive structure
Now look at the remaining options and plug them into the sentence to see if they form a smooth, logical sentence. Watch for problems like repeating "two years" or creating an awkward or illogical structure. Only "Consuelo spent" produces a clear, concise sentence: "Motivated by a desire to preserve local history, Consuelo spent two years collecting oral histories from elder residents of the town."
Confirm it is the best and most standard choice
With this choice, the introductory phrase correctly describes Consuelo (a person), the subject comes directly after the comma, and the verb phrase "spent two years collecting" is idiomatic and concise. Therefore, the correct answer is "Consuelo spent".