OG - SC Question 28

[Mission2012]

Hi Experts,

In virtually all types of tissue in every animal species dioxin induces the production of enzymes that are the organism's trying to metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical that is irritating it.
(A) trying to metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical that is irritating it.
(B) trying that it metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritant
(C) attempt to try to metabolize, or render harmless, such a chemical irritant
(D) attempt to try and metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritating it
(E) attempt to metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritant

the phrase "that are organism's...." is modifying "enzymes" or clause "dioxin induces the production of enzymes"?
as "that" is followed by "are" hence it should be "enzymes" but analysis of meaning suggests that it should be "dioxin induces the production of enzymes".

Please help. Where is my analysis going wrong.

[Mike@Magoosh]

Hi Experts,

In virtually all types of tissue in every animal species dioxin induces the production of enzymes that are the organism's trying to metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical that is irritating it.
(A) trying to metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical that is irritating it.
(B) trying that it metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritant
(C) attempt to try to metabolize, or render harmless, such a chemical irritant
(D) attempt to try and metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritating it
(E) attempt to metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritant

the phrase "that are organism's...." is modifying "enzymes" or clause "dioxin induces the production of enzymes"?
as "that" is followed by "are" hence it should be "enzymes" but analysis of meaning suggests that it should be "dioxin induces the production of enzymes".

Please help. Where is my analysis going wrong.

Dear Mission2012,
I'm happy to help.

Let's look at the OA, (E).
In virtually all types of tissue in every animal species dioxin induces the production of enzymes that are the organism's attempt to metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritant.
The word "that" is a pronoun whose antecedent is "enzymes" --- plural, which justifies the plural verb "are." Apparently, the enzymes themselves are the "organism's attempt to metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritant".

The word "attempt" does not necessarily have to refer to an action-word. For example, suppose I were trying to cook bread, but it came out as a doughy brick. Then I could point to this object and say, "That was my first attempt at baking bread." Suppose I want to take a high quality photograph, but do something bad, such as including my own thumb in the picture. Then I could say, "This image was my attempt at photography."

Does this make sense?
Mike