SAT OwlQuestion bank / Form, Structure, and Sense
In the late 1700s, Caroline Herschel spent many nights scanning the sky with a small telescope built by her brother William. Searching methodically for faint, fuzzy objects, ______
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
eight comets were discovered by Caroline Herschel between 1786 and 1797.
Caroline Herschel's discoveries between 1786 and 1797 included eight comets.
Caroline Herschel discovered eight comets between 1786 and 1797.
the discovery of eight comets was made by Caroline Herschel between 1786 and 1797.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C
The introductory phrase "Searching methodically for faint, fuzzy objects" describes the person who was searching. The subject right after the comma must be that person. Only choice C places "Caroline Herschel" there; the other choices make comets, discoveries, or "the discovery" the ones doing the searching.
Choice B puts Herschel's name first, but the subject is "discoveries," and discoveries can't search the sky.
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