Media experts have attributed the long lasting intrigue of

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Here is a detailed explanation to this question-

Meaning is crucial to solving this problem:
Understanding the intended meaning is key to solving this question; the intended meaning of the crucial part of this sentence is that the long lasting intrigue of Marilyn Monroe has been attributed to her charismatic beauty, which has always been admired.

Concepts tested here: Meaning + Tenses + Idioms + Awkwardness/Redundancy

• “from A to B” is an acceptable idiomatic construction; A and B must be comparable and parallel.
• The present perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb “has/have”) is used to describe events that concluded in the past but continue to affect the present.
• The simple past tense is used to refer to events that concluded in the past.

A: This answer choice incorrectly uses the simple past tense verb "was...admired" to refer to an action that concluded in the past but continues to affect the present; please remember, the present perfect tense (marked by the use of the helping verb “has/have”) is used to describe events that concluded in the past but continue to affect the present, and the simple past tense is only used to refer to events that concluded in the past. Further, Option A fails to maintain parallelism between A ("having a charismatic beauty") and B ("her association with...in America") in the idiomatic construction "from A to B"; please remember, “from A to B” is an acceptable idiomatic construction; A and B must be comparable and parallel.

B: This answer choice fails to maintain parallelism between A ("having a charismatic beauty") and B ("her association with...in America") in the idiomatic construction "from A to B"; please remember, “from A to B” is an acceptable idiomatic construction; A and B must be comparable and parallel.

C: This answer choice uses the needlessly wordy phrase "for which there has always been an admiration", leading to awkwardness and redundancy.

D: Correct. This answer choice uses the phrase "which has always been admired", conveying the intended meaning - that the long lasting intrigue of Marilyn Monroe has been attributed to her charismatic beauty, which has always been admired. Further, Option D correctly uses the present perfect tense verb "has...been admired" to refer to an action that concluded in the past but continues to affect the present. Additionally, Option D correctly maintains parallelism between A ("her charismatic beauty") and B ("her association with...in America") in the idiomatic construction "from A to B". Besides, Option D is free of any awkwardness or redundancy.

E: This answer choice fails to maintain parallelism between A ("having a charismatic beauty") and B ("her association with...in America") in the idiomatic construction "from A to B"; please remember, “from A to B” is an acceptable idiomatic construction; A and B must be comparable and parallel. Further, Option E alters the meaning of the sentence through the phrase "for which there has always been an admired"; the construction of this phrase leads to an incoherent meaning, as "admired" is an adjective without a suitable noun to modify; the intended meaning is that the long lasting intrigue of Marilyn Monroe has been attributed to her charismatic beauty, which has always been admired.

Hence, D is the best answer choice.

To understand the concept of "Present Perfect Tense" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~2 minutes):



To understand the concept of "Simple Tenses" on GMAT, you may want to watch the following video (~1 minute):



All the best!
Experts' Global Team