The students' reaction was swift and contentious, as if their feelings had been hurt.
( ( ( The ( students ' ) ) reaction ) ( ( ( ( was ( ( swift and ) contentious ) ) , ) ( as ( if ( ( their feelings ) ( had ( been hurt ) ) ) ) ) ) . ) )
(ROOT (S (NP (NP (DT The) (NNS students) (POS ')) (NN reaction)) (VP (VBD was) (ADJP (JJ swift) (CC and) (JJ contentious)) (, ,) (SBAR (RB as) (IN if) (S (NP (PRP$ their) (NNS feelings)) (VP (VBD had) (VP (VBN been) (VP (VBN hurt))))))) (. .)))
The students responded strongly.
( ( The students ) ( ( responded strongly ) . ) )
(ROOT (S (NP (DT The) (NNS students)) (VP (VBD responded) (ADVP (RB strongly))) (. .)))