Entomologists Yash Sondhi and Samuel Fabian have tried to explain why moths fly erratically around light sources at night. Knowing that flying insects keep their backs pointed toward sunlight during the day, _____
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Explanation
Context: The opening modifier "Knowing that flying insects keep their backs pointed toward sunlight during the day" describes whoever possesses this knowledge — the researchers. The noun right after the comma must be the researchers.
Answer: B) the researchers theorize that moths, mistaking nighttime lights for the Sun, continually try to reorient their bodies
Why? Modifier rule: "Knowing that flying insects..." describes the researchers (they know this). "The researchers" must come right after the comma.
Traps:
- A) the researchers' theory is → dangling modifier; a "theory" can't "know" — only a person can
- C) moths mistake nighttime lights → dangling modifier; moths aren't the ones who know the research finding
- D) moths continually try → same dangling modifier; moths don't "know" this fact