• 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, a long nap seemed perfect. (correct / dangling modifier) → dangling modifierPrompt: 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. • Hungry and cold, the hut looked welcoming. • Hungry and cold, the hikers were glad to see the hut. • Hungry and cold the hut was welcome. • The hut, hungry and cold, was a welcome sight. (Hungry and cold, the hut looked welcoming. / Hungry and cold, the hikers were glad to see the hut. / Hungry and cold the hut was welcome. / The hut, hungry and cold, was a welcome sight.) → Hungry and cold, the hikers were glad to see the hut.Prompt: Who is really doing the action in the opening phrase?
3. A pioneer of early computing, ___ Which choice completes the sentence correctly? (the first computer program was written by Ada Lovelace. / many people consider Ada Lovelace's notes the first program. / the notes of Ada Lovelace contain the first program. / Ada Lovelace wrote what many consider the first computer program.) → Ada Lovelace wrote what many consider the first computer program.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, it was concluded 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? Having analysed samples from forty lakes, ___ • farm runoff was identified as the source. • it was concluded that the pollution came from farm runoff. • the researchers concluded that the pollution came from farm runoff. • the conclusion was that the pollution came from farm runoff. (farm runoff was identified as the source. / it was concluded that the pollution came from farm runoff. / the researchers concluded that the pollution came from farm runoff. / the conclusion was that the pollution came from farm runoff.) → the researchers concluded that the pollution came from farm runoff.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 8 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. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Discovered in 2014, ___ • it was revealed that the dinosaur had feathers. • the fossil revealed that the dinosaur had feathers. • the dinosaur's feathers surprised scientists. • scientists found that the dinosaur had feathers. (it was revealed that the dinosaur had feathers. / the fossil revealed that the dinosaur had feathers. / the dinosaur's feathers surprised scientists. / scientists found that the dinosaur had feathers.) → the fossil revealed that the dinosaur had feathers.Prompt: Who or what is described by the opening phrase?
2. Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? Having analysed samples from forty lakes, the researchers concluded that the pollution came from farm runoff. (correct / incorrect) → correctPrompt: 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.