When Nigeria achieved full independence in 1960, they had already esta

I know it's minor and maybe nitpicky, but doesn't 'in' need to be underlined as well? It throws off all of the answers.

When Nigeria achieved full independence in 1960, they had already established a federal political structure consisting of three regions based on the three major population clusters that were in its borders.

(A) they had already established a federal political structure consisting of three regions based on the three major population clusters that were in - Nigeria is singular and usage of the pronoun 'they' is incorrect

(B) they already had established a federal political structure consisting of three regions that was based on the three major population clusters inside - same as A

(C) they already had established a federal political structure that consisted of three regions based on the three major population clusters in - same as A

(D) it had already established a federal political structure that consisted of three regions based on the three major population clusters within

(E) it already had established a federal political structure consisting of three regions being based on the three major population clusters it had within - usage of being

Answer D

GMATNinja VeritasPrepKarishma GMATNinjaTwo




1. Are both usage of 'it' correct? I believe it refers back to Nigeria.
2. Usage of modifier - consisting - modifying political structure is correct where as usage of being is incorrect
3. The clause - it had within - is connected properly.

daagh

I have a doubt
In option, E, it already had correct?
Is it had already OR it already had the same meaning?

teaserbae
'already had established' and ' had already established ' have no material difference as far as I see.

Answer is D.
Here, in the subject, Nigeria is a singular noun, so 'they' is incorrect.
This gives us options D & E. Option E has 'consisting' and 'being' along with the past perfect tense whereas option D has correct form.

When Nigeria achieved full independence in 1960, they had already established a federal political structure consisting of three regions based on the three major population clusters that were in its borders.

(A) they had already established a federal political structure consisting of three regions based on the three major population clusters that were in Plural pronoun "they" incorrectly refers to singular noun "Nigeria". Eliminate.

(B) they already had established a federal political structure consisting of three regions that was based on the three major population clusters inside Plural pronoun "they" incorrectly refers to singular noun "Nigeria". Also, "that" incorrectly modifies "three regions" instead of "political structure". Eliminate.

(C) they already had established a federal political structure that consisted of three regions based on the three major population clusters in Plural pronoun "they" incorrectly refers to singular noun "Nigeria". Eliminate.

(D) it had already established a federal political structure that consisted of three regions based on the three major population clusters within Correct answer.

(E) it already had established a federal political structure consisting of three regions being based on the three major population clusters it had within Usage of "being" is unnecessary and awkward. Eliminate.

Hope this helps.

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