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 had strong reactions.
( ( The students ) ( ( had ( strong reactions ) ) . ) )
(ROOT (S (NP (DT The) (NNS students)) (VP (VBD had) (NP (JJ strong) (NNS reactions))) (. .)))