Border Patrol Practice Exam

What demonstrates a proper use of participles in a sentence?

1. We are going sailing on the open sea

2. We saw dolphins sailing on the surface

3. Sailing swiftly, we reached the shores

4. Many dolphins were seen swimming

The correct answer is: Sailing swiftly, we reached the shores

The choice that effectively demonstrates the proper use of participles in a sentence is where the participle "sailing" is used to provide additional information about the subject. In this case, "Sailing swiftly, we reached the shores" functions to create a sense of immediacy and action, as the participle "sailing" describes what the subject is doing at the same time as reaching the shores. This construction enhances the imagery of the sentence and clarifies the relationship between the action of sailing and the action of reaching. In contrast, the other sentences either do not utilize participles in a way that adds descriptive value or do not leverage their potential for dynamic action. The first option describes a future activity without any participial action. The second sentence includes "sailing" as a gerund in a noun-like function rather than a participial modifier. The fourth option uses "swimming" in a passive voice context, where action is being received rather than actively described. Thus, the choice that effectively illustrates the engaging and descriptive application of participles is the one mentioned, showcasing a clear and active connection between the subject and the action.