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

the answer is E
 But E sounds awkward to me...
i chose C.

laxieqv · Answer

intricate SC!
I also picked C. What's wrong with it?!!

alexiswhy · Answer

says the "that" clause modifying the "...trees" should follow the subject it modifies....
'

foolz_rulz · Answer

option E seems very words 

also , "indication on earth of sunspots" seems funny

shoonya · Answer

C would have been a good answer had it used amongst, not among

E for me.

gmatmba · Answer

You can also read E:
Among the surest indications on Earth of sunspot cycles is believed to be the rate at which trees grow 

As:
The rate at which trees grow is believed to me among the surest indications on Earth of sunspot cycle.

jaynayak · Answer

E is correct.

Fixes the modifier problem.

indiactions......... visible signs

fireboll · Answer

What do you mean by 'modifier problem'?
I have no idea why C is incorrect.

M8 · Answer

Really weird question.
Can anyone shed a light on why E is correct?

zoom612 · Answer

Had choice B been,

On Earth, among the surest indications of sunspot cycles  is , it is believed, the rate of tree grow.

Then can B be considered as a valid choice?

Futuristic · Answer

Consider the sentence: tree growth rate   among the surest indication of sunspot cycles on earth. Clearly we need to pick 'is'. This makes A, B wrong. C is wrong because it separates the modifier 'as seen ...." from the noun it modifies "the tree growth rate..."
D clearly sounds jumbled and incoherent. This leaves E.

prashn · Answer

OA seems to be E according to this: https://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/on ... t1833.html

On Earth, among the surest indications of sunspot cycles are

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