A painting by 19th-century artist Katsushika Hokusai,________
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Explanation
Context: The opening modifier "A painting by 19th-century artist Katsushika Hokusai" describes the artwork being discussed. The noun right after the comma must be that painting (The Great Wave off Kanagawa).
Answer: D) The Great Wave off Kanagawa employs visual allegory to convey its deeper thematic meaning to viewers.
Why? Modifier rule: "A painting by...Hokusai" describes The Great Wave off Kanagawa. The painting must come immediately after the comma as the subject.
Traps:
- A) deeper thematic meaning is conveyed → dangling modifier; "deeper thematic meaning" is not a painting
- B) The Great Wave off Kanagawa's deeper thematic meaning → dangling modifier; the possessive form means the meaning is the subject, not the painting itself
- C) visual allegory allows → dangling modifier; "visual allegory" is not the painting by Hokusai