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我们知道，定语从句的谓语动词是用单数还是用复数，这不取决于关系词，而是由先行词决定的。因此，对先行词的判断直接影响了定语从句谓语动词的单复数形式。请看例句：
Despite (A) much research, there are still certain elements in (B) the life cycle of the insect that is (C) not fully understood (D).
正确答案 C，应改为are。
妙语点睛 这是考研英语改错题。本题考查对定语从句先行词的判断。这里先行词elements与关系词that被分隔，因为elements还有一个后置定语in the life cycle of the insect。显然，这种分隔属于2.2.1小节中讨论过的第一种分隔情况：先行词+其他定语+定语从句。that指代elements，在从句中作主语，所以，谓语动词要用复数形式的are。
精品译文 尽管人们已经对昆虫进行了大量的研究，但是对其生命周期中的某些方面还没有完全了解。
综上所述，相信读者已体会到“找到先行词”对于正确理解定语从句的重要意义。再次强调，在今后的学习和考试中，遇到定语从句的时候，首先要想到“找到先行词”，只有准确地找到先行词，才能分清句子结构，理解句子各部分的逻辑关系，从而正确理解句子的意思。
选择最佳答案。
1. Another food crop raised by Indians ______ strange to the European was called Indian corn.
A. who were
B. that were
C. that was
D. who was
2. The time is not far away ______ modern communications will become widespread in China's vast countryside.
A. as
B. when
C. until
D. before
3. They helped us time and again, ______ very kind of them.
A. who were
B. which was
C. that was
D. which were
4. Those guilty of a serious crime ______ refuse to reform must be severely punished.
A. which
B. whom
C. when
D. who
5. Helen was much kinder to her youngest child than she was to the others, ______ of course, made others jealous.
A. who
B. that
C. what
D. which