Far from being modern inventions, ______ more than 5,000 years ago.
Sumerians in ancient Mesopotamia used drinking straws
drinking straws were used by Sumerians in ancient Mesopotamia
the use of drinking straws by Sumerians in ancient Mesopotamia happened
ancient Mesopotamia was home to Sumerians who used drinking straws
Choice B is the best answer. Modiﬁers and their subjects must go next to each other. The modiﬁer “far from being modern
inventions” must be describing “drinking straws,” because those are the only possible inventions in this sentence.
Choice A is incorrect. Modiﬁers and their subjects must go next to each other. The modiﬁer “far from being modern
inventions” can’t be describing “Sumerians,” because they are a group of people, not an invention. Choice C is incorrect.
Modiﬁers and their subjects must go next to each other. The modiﬁer “far from being modern inventions” can’t be describing
“the use of drinking straws,” because it is not “the use” of drinking straws that is an invention—it is the drinking straws
themselves. Choice D is incorrect. Modiﬁers and their subjects must go next to each other. The modiﬁer “far from being
modern inventions” can’t be describing “Ancient Mesopotamia,” because that is a place, not an invention.