Study Guide Worksheet 12 Dangling Modifiers

Worksheet 12 – Dangling Modifiers Context: The following piece of news reports on the abuse of slimming drugs by Hong Kong practitioners. It contains 5 mistakes in dangling modifiers. Identify and correct those mistakes.

HK residents among worst abusers 1

The United Nations has highlighted* Hong Kong as one of the places where the abuse of appetite suppressants for slimming purposes is most prevalent*. 2

Producing serious side effects like pulmonary hypertension and heart valve damage, doctors are the only ones who can prescribe anorectics, substances that suppress* the appetite*. 3Phentermine is the most common. 4

Released by the UN's International Narcotics Control Board in March, Hong Kong was reported to rank sixth in consumption* of anorectics, after Brazil, Argentina, South Korea, the United States and Singapore. 5

According to the report, anorectics are useful in the treatment of life-threatening obesity or attentiondeficit disorder. 6But prescribing them indiscriminately*, anorectics are now being used to feed the slimming obsession* that affects some societies. 7

To reverse this trend, local authorities must exercise effective intervention.

8

Hong Kong Medical Association council member, Tse Hung-hing, said the association had known for more than a decade that some doctors casually prescribed slimming drugs to patients. 9Although acknowledging that the Medical Council’s code of practice did not specify how doctors should prescribe slimming drugs, it was said that doctors could still be found guilty of professional misconduct if they prescribed dangerous slimming drugs. “10I think the code of practice and the present guidelines are strong enough to regulate* the profession, but the problem is that no patient makes a complaint against the doctors to the Medical Council,” said Dr Tse. “11After receiving a complaint, an investigation can be started. 12However, a patient or a victim has to file a complaint in the first place.” 13

In his opinion, doctors should use their professional judgment to assess whether a patient should be prescribed slimming drugs. LILIAN GOH Freely adapted from South China Morning Post

*Vocabulary in Context Highlight (Verb) Definition: to attract attention to or emphasize something important Sample sentence: The report highlights the need for improving Hong Kong’s air quality. Prevalent (Adjective) Definition: existing very commonly or happening frequently Sample sentence: Chickenpox is more prevalent among young children. Suppress (Verb) Definition: to restrain from a usual course or action; to inhibit the growth or development of Sample sentence: I know that I shouldn’t make any noise in the concert, but it’s difficult to suppress a cough. Appetite (Noun) Definition: a desire for food Sample sentence: After doing exercise, she had a good appetite. Consumption (Noun) Definition: the amount used or eaten Sample sentence: The consumption of red wine in Hong Kong is getting greater and greater. Indiscriminately (Adverb) Definition: not showing careful thought or planning, especially so that harm results Sample sentence: In order to flee, the robbers fired indiscriminately into the crowd. Obsession (Noun) Definition: something or someone that you think about all the time Sample sentence: Because of her chocolate obsession, she spent a lot of money buying chocolates. Regulate (Verb) Definition: to control something, especially by making it work in a particular way Sample sentence: Parents should regulate how many snacks their children can eat every day.