Bunuel
Due to ongoing instability in the real estate market, many people
that might at one time have bought homes as young adults are choosing to forgo such purchases in favor of living in rented accommodations.
(A) that might at one time have bought homes as young adults
(B) that as young adults might once have bought homes
(C) who might once have bought homes in young adulthood
(D) who in young adulthood might have at one time bought homes
(E) who, when they were young adults, might at one time have bought homes
(A) that might at one time have bought homes as young adults
This option incorrectly compares
people with young adults. The sentence is not comparing
people with young adults. The intended meaning of the sentence is that
these people when they were young adults might have bought homes but now due to instability in the real estate are not investing in real estate.. This option can be eliminated.
(B) that as young adults might once have bought homes
Can be eliminated on the same reasoning as option A.
(C) who might once have bought homes in young adulthood
This option
changes the intended meaning of the sentence to
the house people bought is located in location called "young adulthood". The intended meaning of the sentence is that some people, who when they were young adults might have invested in real estate. But now are refraining to do due to the instability in real estate market. . Therefore this option can also be eliminated.
(D) who in young adulthood might have at one time bought homes
This option does take care of the shortcomings in the previous option. Lets keep this.
(E) who, when they were young adults, might at one time have bought homes
This option takes care of the mistakes of previous options. And it also put the information
"when they were young adults", which isn't necessary for the meaning of the sentence between two commas. Also this options also puts the
modifier "at one time" between might and have. Thus making the sentence more precise and clear. For this reason
the correct answer is option E.