A pioneer in the field of taphonomy (the study of how organic remains become fossils), ________ may be just as...

Sentence Structure

• A pioneer in the field of taphonomy
  • (the study of how organic remains become fossils),
• [?]
• may be just as prevalent in the fossil record
• as those of thick-shelled organisms.

Understanding the Meaning

Let's start reading from the beginning:

'A pioneer in the field of taphonomy (the study of how organic remains become fossils),'

This opening phrase is describing someone:

• It tells us about a person who was a pioneer—
  • someone who did groundbreaking work in taphonomy
  • (and we get a helpful definition: taphonomy is the study of how organic remains become fossils)

This is where we have the blank.

Let's look at the choices—they're giving us different options for what comes after this descriptive phrase:

• Choice A puts 'fossils of thin-shelled organisms' first
• Choice B puts 'Anna Behrensmeyer' first
• Choice C puts 'it' first
• Choice D puts 'a 2005 analysis' first

To see what works here, let's read the rest of the sentence and understand what it's saying!

The sentence continues: 'may be just as prevalent in the fossil record as those of thick-shelled organisms.'

Now let's understand what this complete sentence is trying to tell us:

• It's making a point about fossils of thin-shelled organisms
  • specifically, that they may be just as common in the fossil record as fossils of thick-shelled organisms
• And someone (a pioneer in taphonomy) demonstrated this in a 2005 analysis

What do we notice about the structure here?

The opening phrase 'A pioneer in the field of taphonomy' is describing a person—it's giving us information about someone. When you start a sentence with a descriptive phrase like this, the very next thing you mention after the comma must be the person or thing you're describing.

Who is the pioneer in taphonomy? A person—Anna Behrensmeyer.

What is NOT the pioneer?

• Fossils can't be a pioneer
• 'It' isn't a person who can be a pioneer
• An analysis can't be a pioneer

So we need Anna Behrensmeyer's name to come right after that opening description. That's Choice B: 'Anna Behrensmeyer demonstrated in a 2005 analysis that fossils of thin-shelled organisms.'

The complete sentence reads: A pioneer in the field of taphonomy, Anna Behrensmeyer demonstrated in a 2005 analysis that fossils of thin-shelled organisms may be just as prevalent in the fossil record as those of thick-shelled organisms.

Perfect! The description matches who follows it, and the meaning is clear.

GRAMMAR CONCEPT APPLIED

Placing Introductory Descriptive Phrases (Introductory Modifiers)

When you begin a sentence with a descriptive phrase that describes a person or thing, whatever you mention immediately after the comma must be the person or thing being described. This is called a modifier in grammar terms, and it must be placed right next to what it modifies.

The Pattern:

• Descriptive phrase, [the thing being described] + rest of sentence

Example 1:

• Correct: A talented musician, Sarah performed at Carnegie Hall.
  • "A talented musician" describes Sarah
  • Sarah comes right after the comma
• Incorrect: A talented musician, the performance was at Carnegie Hall.
  • This suggests the performance is a talented musician (illogical)

Example 2:

• Correct: Known for its innovative design, the building won several awards.
  • "Known for its innovative design" describes the building
  • The building comes right after the comma

In this question:

• Descriptive phrase: "A pioneer in the field of taphonomy"
• This describes a person
• Must be followed by: Anna Behrensmeyer (the person who is the pioneer)
• Cannot be followed by: fossils, "it," or an analysis (none of these can be pioneers)

The key is to ask yourself: "Who or what is the opening phrase describing?" Then make sure that person or thing comes immediately after the comma.