Before its independence in 1947, Britain ruled India as a

Question

Before its independence in 1947, Britain ruled India as a colony and they would relinquish power  only after a long struggle by the native people.

A. Before its independence in 1947, Britain ruled India as a colony and they would relinquish power 
B. Before independence in 1947, Britain had ruled India as a colony and relinquished power 
C. Before its independence in 1947, India was ruled by Britain as a colony and they relinquished power 
D. Before independence in 1947, India had been ruled as a colony by Britain, which relinquished power 
E. Before independence in 1947, India had been a colony of the British, who relinquished power

GMAT TIGER · Answer

A. "Britain" - wrong modifier.
B. "Britain" - wrong modifier.
C. "they" for whom? 
D. "India" correctly modifies "Before independence in 1947" and "which" is correct pronoun for "Britain".
E. "who" is not a proper pronoun for "British". Britain" is correct not British to refer to a country.

Economist · Answer

yup D, same reasoning as gmattiger

hogann · Answer

Interesting Replies - OA is actually E (Source Manhattan GMAT)

I second that who looks wrong especially since the reason for not D is as follows 
"The phrase "ruled as a colony by Britain" is awkward and unclear. The placement of the modifer "by Britain" makes it unclear that the ruling is being done by Britain."

For E - Notice that the word "ruled" has been removed from this answer choice, however, this did not result in a change of meaning. To be a colony of the British is to be ruled by the British.

GMAT TIGER · Answer

Intresting OE. Agreed with the explanations but did not get "why British and Who' are correct in E over :Britain and which". :roll:

Do they/you have any thing on that?

riteshbindal · Answer

Even I chose D

zaarathelab · Answer

Before its independence in 1947, Britain ruled India as a colony and they would relinquish power only after a long struggle by the native people.

A. Before its independence in 1947, Britain ruled India as a colony and they would relinquish power
B. Before independence in 1947, Britain had ruled India as a colony and relinquished power
C. Before its independence in 1947, India was ruled by Britain as a colony and they relinquished power
D. Before independence in 1947, India had been ruled as a colony by Britain, which relinquished power
E. Before independence in 1947, India had been a colony of the British, who relinquished power

Its E for me

In D, 'ruled as as a colony' is awkward and wordy.
E is clear and concise. 'who' after british is perfectly placed

Before its independence in 1947, Britain ruled India as a

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards