Question 98·Medium·Form, Structure, and Sense
Initially considered experimental, ______ for commercial flights within just two years.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
For sentence-structure questions with an introductory phrase, first identify that phrase (often ending with a comma) and ask which noun it should logically describe. Then, scan the answer choices to see which one puts that noun immediately after the comma and forms a clear, complete sentence without dangling modifiers or repeated, unnecessary words. Always read the full sentence with your chosen option to make sure it sounds both grammatical and logical.
Hints
Focus on the introductory phrase
Look carefully at the phrase "Initially considered experimental," before the blank. Ask: what should this phrase be describing in the main part of the sentence?
Check the subject right after the comma
On the SAT, an introductory descriptive phrase should logically describe the noun that comes immediately after the comma. Look at what each answer choice puts first after the comma.
Test for logical meaning and repetition
When you mentally insert each choice, ask yourself: Does it say something that makes sense in real life, and does it avoid awkward repetition of phrases like "within just two years"?
Watch out for dangling modifiers
If the introductory phrase ends up describing the wrong noun (for example, making it sound like people were "initially considered experimental"), that choice is incorrect.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the sentence structure
Look at the beginning of the sentence: "Initially considered experimental,". This is an introductory modifier (a descriptive phrase) that must describe the subject that comes immediately after the comma.
So whatever fills the blank must start with the thing that was "initially considered experimental."
Decide what was "initially considered experimental"
Use logic: who or what would be considered experimental in this context?
- The rocket plane could be considered experimental.
- It does not make sense that engineers were considered experimental.
- It is also odd to say that "certification" was considered experimental.
So the subject after the comma should clearly refer to the rocket plane, not engineers or an abstract noun like "certification."
Check for dangling modifiers and repetition
A dangling modifier happens when the introductory phrase seems to describe the wrong thing.
Test the options in your head:
- If the word right after the comma is engineers, then "Initially considered experimental" incorrectly describes the engineers.
- If the word right after the comma effectively makes the subject certification, then the phrase incorrectly describes the certification.
- Also check if any option repeats "within just two years" unnecessarily, which makes the sentence wordy and awkward.
You want the version where the modifier clearly describes the rocket plane and there is no weird repetition.
Choose the option that fits both grammar and meaning
Plug in the remaining logical option:
"Initially considered experimental, the rocket plane was certified for commercial flights within just two years."
Here, the modifier clearly describes "the rocket plane," the sentence is complete and grammatical, and there is no extra repetition. So the correct answer is B) the rocket plane was certified.