Compared to that of alumina glass, ______ blank silica glass atoms are so far apart that they are unable to

Question

Compared to that of alumina glass, ______ blank silica glass atoms are so far apart that they are unable to re-form bonds after being separated. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

Accepted Answer

Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-modifier placement. This choice makes &ldquo;silica glass&rsquo;s atomic arrangement&rdquo; the subject of the sentence and places it immediately after the modifying phrase &ldquo;compared to that of alumina glass.&rdquo; In doing so, this choice clearly establishes that silica glass&rsquo;s atomic arrangement-and not another noun in the sentence-is being compared to the atomic arrangement (&ldquo;that&rdquo;) of alumina glass. Choice A is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the noun phrase &ldquo;silica glass&rdquo; immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that silica glass itself (rather than its atomic arrangement) is being compared to alumina glass&rsquo;s atomic arrangement. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the noun phrase &ldquo;silica glass&rdquo; immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that silica glass itself (rather than its atomic arrangement) is being compared to alumina glass&rsquo;s atomic arrangement. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the noun phrase &ldquo;a significant disadvantage&rdquo; immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that &ldquo;a significant disadvantage&rdquo; is being compared to alumina glass&rsquo;s atomic arrangement.

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