The Theropod dinosaur group, which included bloodthirsty killing-machines such as the Spinosaurus and Utahraptor that were notorious for sharp, serrated teeth that differentiated it from the herbivorous dinosaur groups.
A. group, which included bloodthirsty killing-machines such as the Spinosaurus and Utahraptor that were
B. group, which included bloodthirsty killing-machines such as the Spinosaurus and Utahraptor, were
C. group included bloodthirsty killing-machines such as the Spinosaurus and Utahraptor and were
D. group included bloodthirsty killing-machines such as the Spinosaurus and Utahraptor that was
E. group, which included bloodthirsty killing-machines such as the Spinosaurus and Utahraptor, was
This question is based on Modifiers and Subject-Verb agreement.
Option A is incomplete. It contains a subject - The Theropod dinosaur group – and three subordinate clauses acting as modifiers placed one after the other - which included bloodthirsty killing-machines such as the Spinosaurus and Utahraptor; that were notorious for sharp, serrated teeth and that differentiated it from the herbivorous dinosaur groups. There is no verb to complete the idea of the subject. So, Option A can be eliminated.
Option B contains a subject-verb disagreement. The plural verb ‘were’ does not agree with the singular subject “The Theropod dinosaur group”. So, Option B can also be eliminated.
Option C has a different construction. It is made up of two main clauses. However, this option also contains the same subject-verb disagreement as Option B. The plural verb ‘were’ does not agree with the singular subject. So, Option C can also be eliminated.
Option D also has an error of subject-verb agreement. The clause “that was notorious…teeth” describes the subject “bloodthirsty killing machines”. The phrase “such as the Spinosaurus and Utahraptor” only gives examples of the killing machines. Since the singular verb ‘was’ does not agree with the plural subject ‘killing machines’, Option D can also be eliminated.
Option E has a modifier “which included bloodthirsty killing-machines such as the Spinosaurus and Utahraptor” that appropriately modifies the subject “The Theropod dinosaur group” and the singular verb ‘was’ to refer to the same subject. Therefore, E is the most appropriate option.