The damage caused by the series of storms were relatively minimal, but among the casualties were a cluster of farmhouses on the western outskirts of town.
A. were relatively minimal, but among the casualties were a cluster of farmhouses
B. were relatively minimal, but among the casualties was a cluster of farmhouses
C. was relatively minimal, but a cluster of farmhouses were among the casualties
D. was relatively minimal, but among the casualties was a cluster of farmhouses
E. was relatively minimal, but among the casualties were a cluster of farmhouses
This question is based on Subject-Verb agreement.
The underlined portion begins with a verb, the subject of which is “the damage”. Since this subject is singular, the verb must also be singular.
The underlined portion contains another verb – was/were; the subject of this verb is “cluster”. Since this subject is also singular, this verb must also be singular.
Options A and B contain the plural form ‘were’. So, they can be eliminated.
Similarly, the second verb is in the plural form - were - in Options C and E. So, these options can also be eliminated.
Option D maintains subject-verb agreement.
Even though the subject and verb are in inverted order in the latter part of the underlined portion – among the casualties was a cluster of farmhouses – the subject of the verb still is “cluster”.
Therefore, D is the most appropriate option.