Question

The following sentence tests correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of the sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternative, select choice A; if not, select one of the other choices.

In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is, pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence-clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.

Benin was the first sub-Saharan African country to experience a "civilian coup": they were a regime that was dominated by the armed forces and obliged by citizens to implement democratic reforms.

• A. They were a regime that was dominated by the armed forces and obliged by
• B. They had been a regime that was dominated by the armed forces, when they were obliged to
• C. It had a regime, armed forces dominating, but then were obliged to
• D. Armed forces dominated them until this regime were obliged by
• E. A regime, dominated by the armed forces, was obliged by

Answer 1

Answer: (E)

A regime, dominated by the armed forces, was obliged by

The underlined portion is indirect and convoluted which further blurs the meaning of the given sentence. Further, "they" is the incorrect pronoun used here and its reference is also unclear. All these errors are rectified only by E.