14. Which word in the following sentence is a relative pronoun? Of the many people whom she interviewed, she chose the one with the most experience.
Answer: A
Whom is a relative pronoun.
In the given sentence, "whom" functions as a relative pronoun, introducing a relative clause that provides more information about the noun "people." It connects the clause to the antecedent, allowing for a more detailed description.
A) Whom
"Whom" is indeed a relative pronoun as it refers back to "people" and introduces the clause "whom she interviewed." This use is essential for specifying which group of people is being discussed, thus fulfilling the role of a relative pronoun effectively.
B) Experience
"Experience" is a noun and does not serve as a relative pronoun. It is part of the phrase "the one with the most experience," providing information about the individual chosen, but it does not relate back to another noun in the same way a relative pronoun does.
C) With
"With" is a preposition and not a relative pronoun. It is used to indicate a relationship between "the one" and "the most experience," but it does not function to connect clauses or refer back to another noun.
D) Of the
"Of the" is a prepositional phrase and does not contain a relative pronoun. It serves to provide context for the noun "people," but does not introduce a clause or relate back to another noun as a relative pronoun would.
Conclusion
The choice of "whom" as the correct answer clearly identifies it as a relative pronoun, which is critical for linking clauses and providing additional information about the noun. In contrast, all other options fail to fulfill the role of a relative pronoun, as they are either nouns, prepositions, or phrases that do not connect clauses. Thus, "whom" stands out as the only appropriate choice in this context.