On Earth, among the surest indications of sunspot cycles are

Question

On Earth, among the surest indications of sunspot cycles are believed to be the rate that trees grow , as seen in the rings visible in the cross sections of their trunks.

A. On Earth, among the surest indications of sunspot cycles are believed to be the rate that trees grow

B. On Earth, among the surest indications of sunspot cycles are, it is believed, the rate of tree growth

C. On Earth, the rate at which trees grow is believed to be among the surest indications of sunspot cycles

D. Among the surest indications on Earth of sunspot cycles, believed to be the tree growth rate

E. Among the surest indications on Earth of sunspot cycles is believed to be the rate at which trees grow

chunjuwu · Answer

Hello, guys 

in this question, 

waht does the sentence "as seen......" mofidy? 

thanks

rthothad · Answer

The rings on the tree trunks indicate their growth, so it should modify the growth.

christoph · Answer

C) !

A) and B) are out because of wrong subject-verb-agreement that is "are <> the rate" it should be "is"

D) and E) are out because "...of sunspot cycles..." should be right next to "...surest indications..."

dipaksingh · Answer

"as seen" modifies "sunspot cycles"
see the "comma" after "sunspot cycles"

sun spot cycles as seen from the------

jpv · Answer

(C) <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" title="Rolling Eyes" /> <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" title="Rolling Eyes" /> <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" title="Rolling Eyes" /> <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" title="Rolling Eyes" />

mdf2 · Answer

One more for c.
it seems to be the most fluid, simple and straight forward. The meaning is there as well
what is the oa?

bozo190101 · Answer

Another C. :roll:

chunjuwu · Answer

Thanks all 

OA is C. 

any explanation?

forrestgump · Answer

C it is 

A - jumbled up.
B - jumbled up as well
C - "the rate of growth of trees " and the "indications of sunspot cycles" is neatly arranged.
D - "believed to be the tree growth rate " doesnt mean what it shud.
E - close but not quite - it's a little more wordier

jpv · Answer

(A) and (B): out : are is used for "rate" (singular)

(D): Among the surest indications on Earth of sunspot cycles , believed to be the tree growth rate,  as seen in the rings visible in the cross sections of their trunks. 

Incomplete sentence (no verb)

(E) "surest indications on Earth of sunspot cycles" wrong usage of prepositional phrase. It should be "surest indication of sunspot cycles on Earth". Note that (D) also has this problem.


 

Read the sentence like this, u will get the answer by urself.

On Earth, the rate at which trees grow,  as seen in the rings visible in the cross sections of their trunks,  is believed to be among the surest indications of sunspot cycles.

I hope u got the answer: "the rate"

chunjuwu · Answer

Thanks, jpv 

But how do we know to rearrange the modifier. 

Thank you

On Earth, among the surest indications of sunspot cycles are

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