In 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte escaped exile and returned to power in France. Consequently, a coalition of European powers mobilized armies to defeat him. Upon his final defeat at Waterloo months later, ______ to the remote island of Saint Helena, ending the Napoleonic Wars.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
the British exiled Napoleon
the exile of Napoleon occurred
Napoleon was exiled
it was Napoleon who was exiled
Correct Answer: C
Choice C is the best answer. The introductory phrase "Upon his final defeat at Waterloo months later" modifies the subject of the main clause. The person who was defeated was Napoleon; therefore, "Napoleon" must immediately follow the comma to avoid a dangling modifier. "Napoleon was exiled" correctly aligns the subject with the modifier.