Bunuel
The application of discrete paintbrush strokes of unmixed primary colors directly onto the canvas results in the simulation of the way the eye actually perceives light; this painting style, with the
bold effects and stark emotive power that scandalized the public when first presented, is known as Impressionism.
A. bold effects and stark emotive power that scandalized the public when first presented, is
B. bold effects and stark emotive power that scandalized the public when first presented, are
C. bold affects and stark emotive power causing a public scandal when first presented, are
D. scandalous emotive power and bold effects of its first presentation to the public, being
E. bold effects and stark emotive power, that scandalized the public when first presented, is
Right off the bat, B, C and D should be easy to eliminate since the subject "this painting style" is singular, and so requires a singular verb
For A & E, the difference in meaning is subtle
E --> the painting style scandalized the public
A --> the bold effects and emotive power of this painting style scandalized
The painting itself did not scandalize the public.
Hence, answer is A.
I hope this explanation is correct. Please feel free to correct me if you find something incorrect