A modifier question tests whether an opening describing phrase connects to the right person or thing. When a phrase describes what someone did or felt, ask who or what the phrase describes. Use the rest of the sentence to name that person or thing. The phrase must describe the main noun right after its comma, not a name tucked elsewhere in the sentence. Extra details around that noun don't change which person or thing the phrase describes.
Hints
- Hint 1
Start with the opening phrase and ask who feels impressed.
- Hint 2
Use what happens after the blank to work out who feels impressed. Then check the main noun after the comma: does it name that same person or group?
Step-by-step
Find who the phrase describes
Step 1Connect the opening to its noun
The opening phrase, Impressed by the playwright's ability to weave humor into serious social commentary, gives a reaction without naming who has it. Where must the sentence put that person or group? An opening describing phrase describes the main noun right after its comma, so that's where whoever feels impressed must appear. The words after the blank can help us name who fits.
- Step 2
Use what the subject does
After the blank, left the theater eager to read more of her work tells us what the subject did. Who can feel impressed and do all of that? Someone who watched the play can, while the theater is the building they left. Adding according to Marisol Díaz doesn't make Marisol the main noun in that choice. The choice starting with humor makes that idea the subject, and an idea can't feel impressed, leave a theater, or want to read.
- Step 3
Distinguish the person from the review
In Marisol Díaz's review, is Marisol the main noun? No, review is the main noun, because Marisol Díaz's only says whose it is. The words published the next day add a detail about the review, but a written review can't feel impressed or leave a theater. With audience members, the opening describes the people who saw the play, and left the theater eager to read more of her work tells what they did. Choice D.