At the reception were the chattering guests, the three-tiered cake, and the lively music that have become characteristic of many wedding celebrations.
为什么不是characteristics of ?
1)语法结构
主句：At the reception were the chattering guests, the three-tiered cake, and the lively music
定语从句：that have become characteristic of many wedding celebrations. (从句中 关系代词指代三个并列的先行词 the chattering guests, the three-tiered cake, and the lively music)
2)按照上述对这道SAT语法真题的分析，定语从句可以改写为—— they have become characteristic of many wedding celebrations.
3)根据句意，只有“喋喋不休闲聊的来宾、三层蛋糕和美妙的音乐”三项才能构成婚礼的所独有的特色，多数婚礼都是如此，缺一就不成其为一个整体了。也就是说三项相加构成了统一的一种特色，而不是各自显示出来的，因此只能用单数表示。
4)对比下面用了 characteristics 的句子： What are the characteristics that distinguish the Chinese
from the Japanese? 中国人区别于日本人的特征是什么?
这里的特征指的是多方面的，包括文化背景、长相、风俗习惯等等，而每一方面又都构成了各自不同的特征，所以必须用复数表示。
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