SAT Reading & Writing · Form, Structure, and Sense
Walking quickly through the crowded terminal, the suitcase nearly tripped a passing traveler.
Walking quickly through the crowded terminal, the suitcase nearly tripped a passing traveler.
Which choice best revises the sentence so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Which choice best revises the sentence so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Answer and explanation
Answer: D: Walking quickly through the crowded terminal, the traveler nearly tripped over the suitcase.
The opening phrase "Walking quickly through the crowded terminal" describes an action only a person can perform, so it must attach to a noun naming that person immediately after the comma. Only D places "the traveler" in that position, correctly connecting the walking to the person doing it. A still places the action's logical subject in the wrong grammatical role, since "a passing traveler" appears only as the object of the main clause, not as what the opening phrase modifies. C and B both leave "the suitcase" attached to the opening phrase, illogically suggesting luggage can walk.
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