Sentence Correction

in the last few decades, physicists have identified the existence of different "flavors" of subatomic particles called quarks, most of them as small or smaller than the electron, which display a property known as color charge.

A most of them as small or smaller than the electron, which display
B most of them as small or smaller than the electron and displaying
C mostly as small or smaller than the electron, displaying
D mostly at least as small as the electron, which display
E most of them at least as small as the electron, displaying

IMO E.

small or smaller is incorrect to show varying level of size, instead usage of at least as small as is correct.
Which is supposed to modify quarks, but it modifies electron in A and D, hence out.
desiplaying correctly modifies quarks and hence, E fits properly.

Hi all!

IMO E

There are following issues here: idiom, modifier, and logical structure

1) idiom
correct idiom is "as ... as"
According to dictionary.reference.com, this expression is "used to express similarity or equality in a specified characteristic, condition, etc., as between one person or thing and another"
For example:
"As free as a bird"
"as small as the electron"
There is 3/2 split and we should eliminate answer choices A, B, and C.

2) modifier
the clause introduced by 'which' should IMMEDIATELY follow the noun or idea it modifies. Here, the relative clause follows the noun 'the electron'. It is incorrect since we want to modify 'quarks'. Therefore, we should use modifier:
"displaying a property known as color charge"
We should eliminate answer choice D.

3) logical structure of the underlined clause
"mostly at least" sounds illogical for me
"most of them at least" means "majority of them at least". It is correct

Read "Top 10 Tips for the Sentence Correction Section" by Chris Black
https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2010/09/ ... on-section

Read more about modifiers
https://www.studygs.net/modcom.htm

Hope it helps!
Best,
Maciek