• 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? Walking to school, the rain started to pour. (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? Running for the bus, my phone fell out of my pocket. • Running for the bus, I dropped my phone out of my pocket. • My phone, running for the bus, fell out. • Running for the bus, my phone dropped from my pocket quickly. • Running for the bus my phone fell out of my pocket. (Running for the bus, I dropped my phone out of my pocket. / My phone, running for the bus, fell out. / Running for the bus, my phone dropped from my pocket quickly. / Running for the bus my phone fell out of my pocket.) → Running for the bus, I dropped my phone out of my pocket.Prompt: Who is really doing the action in the opening phrase?
3. Unlike most reptiles, ___ Which choice completes the sentence correctly? (live young are born to some lizards. / some lizards give birth to live young. / giving birth to live young is common in some lizards. / the young of some lizards are born live.) → some lizards give birth to live young.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)? 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? Born in Enugu, Nigeria, in 1977, ___ • the novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has written several acclaimed books. • acclaim came to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie for her books. • Enugu is where Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was born. • several acclaimed books have been written by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. (the novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has written several acclaimed books. / acclaim came to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie for her books. / Enugu is where Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was born. / several acclaimed books have been written by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.) → the novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has written several acclaimed books.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? A pioneer of computer science, ___ • Ada Lovelace's notes included the first published program. • the first published computer program was written by Ada Lovelace. • Ada Lovelace wrote what is often called the first published computer program. • it was Ada Lovelace who wrote the program. (Ada Lovelace's notes included the first published program. / the first published computer program was written by Ada Lovelace. / Ada Lovelace wrote what is often called the first published computer program. / it was Ada Lovelace who wrote the program.) → Ada Lovelace wrote what is often called the first published computer program.Prompt: Who or what is described by the opening phrase?
2. Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? Built to withstand earthquakes, swaying gently prevents the tower from cracking. (correct / incorrect) → incorrectPrompt: 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.