Sentence Correction

Those who listened to the first speech of the new Soviet leader were struck by its direct, less polemical tone than was common in speeches by Soviet leaders during the previous eighteen years.

a...
b. its direct tone, less polemical than was common
c. its direct, less polemical tone than had been common
d. the direct tone, less polemical than it had commonly been
e. the direct tone, less polemical than it commonly was

IMO D

What is the OA

CrazyGmatter wrote:Those who listened to the first speech of the new Soviet leader were struck by its direct, less polemical tone than was common in speeches by Soviet leaders during the previous eighteen years.

a...
b. its direct tone, less polemical than was common
c. its direct, less polemical tone than had been common
d. the direct tone, less polemical than it had commonly been
e. the direct tone, less polemical than it commonly was

IMO A

IMO E

i wonder why no body chose C.

IMO D

were struck by A and B
If this is what you think then the sentence must be -> its direct and less polemical tone
Hence A and C are wrong
b - wrong - was common
e - wrong - commonly was

what is the OA

IMO, the answer is C Here's why:

A, B - eliminate due to tense (was common isn't as clear as had been, since the latter indicates that something happened for some duration of time in the past, and then stopped).

D, E - awkward... what does "it" refer to?

We are left with C.

EDIT: My answer is incorrect. The OA is B. See https://www.urch.com/forums/gmat-sentenc ... -proc.html for a good explanation.

I am stuck between b and e.

Such varied answers from people. I vote for C for its proper tense usage. Since voting is not a desirable way to resolve a debate, it is time for expert replies to clear the air.

I picked E..cause I felt "its" was unclear...as to the speech or Soviet Union.
between d and e...I felt since the speech was being compared to other speeches of that time...i picked was over had.
Any thoughts?