• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Fixing dangling participle phrases; Modifier placement in complex sentences). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Is the opening phrase correctly attached, or is it a dangling modifier? Tired after the race, Ana took a long nap. (correct / dangling modifier) → correctPrompt: Ask: who or what is doing the action in the opening phrase?
2. This sentence has a dangling modifier. Which choice fixes it? Hungry and cold, the hut was a welcome sight. • The hut, hungry and cold, was a welcome sight. • Hungry and cold, the hikers were glad to see the hut. • Hungry and cold the hut was welcome. • Hungry and cold, the hut looked welcoming. (The hut, hungry and cold, was a welcome sight. / Hungry and cold, the hikers were glad to see the hut. / Hungry and cold the hut was welcome. / Hungry and cold, the hut looked welcoming.) → Hungry and cold, the hikers were glad to see the hut.Prompt: Who is really doing the action in the opening phrase?
3. Having studied the river for a decade, ___ Which choice completes the sentence correctly? (the biologist noticed that the salmon were returning. / it became clear that the salmon were returning. / the return of the salmon was noticed. / the salmon were seen returning by the biologist.) → the biologist noticed that the salmon were returning.Prompt: Who or what does the opening phrase describe?

• Show a sentence with the grammar point used wrongly and ask what sounds odd.
• Share the objective: After an opening modifier, choose the right subject (SAT). Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Like her earlier paintings, ___ • Frida Kahlo, in her new work, explores identity. • Frida Kahlo's new work explores identity and pain. • identity and pain are explored by Frida Kahlo. • Frida Kahlo explores identity and pain in her new work.
• Step 1: An introductory modifier must be followed directly by the noun it describes; otherwise it dangles.
• Step 2: Paintings must be compared with work, not with the artist.
• Step 3: So the answer is: Frida Kahlo's new work explores identity and pain.
• Answer: Frida Kahlo's new work explores identity and pain.
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? Having analysed samples from forty lakes, the conclusion was that the pollution came from farm runoff. (correct / incorrect) → incorrectPrompt: Who or what is described by the opening phrase?
2. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Like her earlier paintings, ___ • Frida Kahlo, in her new work, explores identity. • identity and pain are explored by Frida Kahlo. • Frida Kahlo explores identity and pain in her new work. • Frida Kahlo's new work explores identity and pain. (Frida Kahlo, in her new work, explores identity. / identity and pain are explored by Frida Kahlo. / Frida Kahlo explores identity and pain in her new work. / Frida Kahlo's new work explores identity and pain.) → Frida Kahlo's new work explores identity and pain.Prompt: Who or what is described by the opening phrase?

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? Discovered in 2014, the fossil revealed that the dinosaur had feathers. (correct / incorrect) → correctPrompt: Who or what is described by the opening phrase?
2. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Hoping to reduce traffic, ___ • city officials introduced a congestion charge. • traffic was reduced by a congestion charge. • a congestion charge was introduced by city officials. • the introduction of a congestion charge followed. (city officials introduced a congestion charge. / traffic was reduced by a congestion charge. / a congestion charge was introduced by city officials. / the introduction of a congestion charge followed.) → city officials introduced a congestion charge.Prompt: Who or what is described by the opening phrase?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-11.