OG 13 #Q 115

Question

Because there are provisions of the new maritime code that provide that even tiny islets can be the basis for claims to the fisheries and oil fields of large sea areas, they have already stimulated international disputes over uninhabited islands.

The ans for this option is B

My doubt(specific)
1. Option (B) - I feel has a verb tense issue since we have a fact saying provisions of the code provide something (in present tense) .How is it possible to have the effect of this cause( stimulating disputes) be written in present perfect tense as this action can only happen after the provisions of the code are in place

My doubt(generic): 
2.In general we know that modifies the preceeding noun. Should this always be the  immediately preceeding noun or a far away noun . And to determine this?

Here i am a bit confused That provide -refers to new maritime code(immediately precceding noun) or provisions(far away noun)?

Please clarify the usage of 'that' in general

DmitryFarberMPrep · Answer

1. There is nothing saying that the new codes are not in place yet. What about this?

Because the Constitution guarantees us certain rights, it has often been used as a legal justification for controversial behavior.

Same structure, but the Constitution is definitely in effect!

2. Unfortunately, the word "that," like so many common words, has many uses. In this case, it is not signalling a noun modifier. It is part of the idiom "provides that," and it is telling us what the new code provides. However, if you see "that" directly after a noun, then it is modifying that noun.

(See what I did there? I said "modifying that noun." In this case, "that" is used to indicate which noun I'm talking about. It isn't serving as a modifier or forming part of an idiom!)

gameboy11887 · Answer

I got your first response is clear.

I still din't get your response to "that".

I am refering to the first "that" in the sentence :provisions of the maritime code that provide - Does it refer to new maritime code(immediately precceding noun) or provisions(far away noun)?

DmitryFarberMPrep · Answer

Ah, of course. Silly me--that question makes more sense.

There are occasions when we don't need to apply the touch rule. One case is when the modifier is important in defining the noun. For instance, if I say "The King of Spain, who objected to the treaty . . . " "who" clearly modifies "King." Here are a few more examples: The jar of peanut butter, which shattered on the floor . . . There are people in the world who will take advantage of you. The movie had moments of brilliance that enlivened an otherwise dull production. So in (A), we can say " provisions of the new maritime code that provide," since the modifier in between is making it clear which provisions we're talking about. That's not the reason for eliminating (A), but it's interesting that the correct answer dispenses with this construction.

OG 13 #Q 115

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