That refers to patchwork or green fields ?

[rahuljones1]

In good years, the patchwork of green fields that surround the San Joaquin Valley town bustles with farm workers, many of them in the area just for the season.
(A) surround the San Joaquin Valley town bustles with farm workers, many of them
(B) surrounds the San Joaquin Valley town bustles with farm workers, many of whom are
(C) surround the San Joaquin Valley town bustles with farm workers, many of who are
(D) surround the San Joaquin Valley town bustle with farm workers, many of which
(E) surrounds the San Joaquin Valley town bustles with farm workers, many are

OA - A

[karmayogi]

Three pointers:
1. "fields that surround" is correct - eliminate B and E.
2. "town bustles with" - eliminate D
3. "who" is used for only humans - eliminate C.

[mals24]

I'll go with B

'that' should refer to patchwork, which is the subject, and not field work, which is a middleman in this question (anything after 'of' is considered a middle man so you can ignore the phrase 'of field work')

Hence we need the singular surrounds and not the plural surround.

So that eliminates options A, C, D

Between B and E, the 'whom' in B clearly refers to farm workers and is hence more clearer. In E 'many are' is quite unclear in terms of reference.

So B.

Btw Rahul whats the source of this question?

[karmayogi]

I'll go with B

'that' should refer to patchwork, which is the subject, and not field work, which is a middleman in this question (anything after 'of' is considered a middle man so you can ignore the phrase 'of field work')

I don't agree with you here. Following is what I found on the net:

In the above example, what 'that' refers to depends on the verb that follows it. If the sentence reads, 'a patchwork of greenfields that surround'. Here, 'that' refers to 'greenfields'. If the sentence reads, 'a patchwork of greenfields that surrounds'. Here, 'that' refers to 'patchwork'.

https://www.scribd.com/doc/7058764/Verba ... TNotes2006

[mals24]

https://www.beatthegmat.com/many-of-them ... =patchwork

Apparently this question has caused some good amount of confusion before as well

[karmayogi]

https://www.beatthegmat.com/many-of-them ... =patchwork

Apparently this question has caused some good amount of confusion before as well

Looks like this question is mother of all controversies . On BTG, I found three threads on the question, and none of them are conclusive. If we select democratically then B is clear winner. Still there is no clear verdict on 'that' issue.

Overall, it's a good question; I learnt many things. Thanks Mals.

[ketkoag]

i think the subject is "patchwork of the green fields"
what do u think karmayogi??

[karmayogi]

i think the subject is "patchwork of the green fields"
what do u think karmayogi??

The patchwork is the subject.

[lav]

grouping can be done in two ways .... but my ans is same in both cases B

In good years, the patchwork (of green fields) that surround the San Joaquin Valley town bustles with farm workers, many of them in the area just for the season.

the patchwork ... that surround X , eliminate A , C, D
the patchwork ... that surrounds B or E
Between B and E, the 'whom' in B clearly refers to farm workers and is hence more clearer. In E 'many are' is quite unclear in terms of reference.

In good years, the patchwork (of green fields that surround the San Joaquin Valley town) bustles with farm workers, many of them in the area just for the season.

the patchwork ... bustle is wrong X eliminate D
In E 'many are' is quite unclear in terms of reference. eliminate E
Now we have "the patchwork ... bustles with farm workers" we cant have many of who. eliminate C
"Them" could refer to the fields or the workers. "Whom" must refer to people, so is unambiguous: choose (b).

now difference is in logical grouping ... but in both cases ans seems to be B

two issue with OA : A
1) subject "the patchwork" is singular hence can only singular verb , which one is the MAIN VERB "bustles" or "surrounds" I think main verb is bustles , surround can go with green fields and bustles can go with the patchwork , but if i keep "surrounds" as main verb then "patchwork .. surrounds..." then how do u answer what bustles with farm workers ? no subject fits in as answer.
2) "Them" could refer to the fields or the workers. "Whom" must refer to people, so A is ambiguous