For many American students, customized vacations turn out to cost

For many American students, customized vacations turn out to cost remarkably less than they originally seemed.

A. they originally seemed
B. they originally seem to
C. they seemingly would cost originally
D. it seemed originally
E. it originally seemed they would

This is a very good question , u can put it in comparison ques type., as the use of less that can be seen.

Now what is being compared ??

In the original sentence,They , refers to the customized vacations.

Now when u read the question again, the inference which u draw from They is that the Customized vacations cost something less than Customized vacations originally seemed. This doesn't make sense. How can the customized vacation originally seemed ?

It is theinitial estimate which is being talked about.
So we have to bring in Initial estimate somewhere in the ans choice.

Now in a comparison question, to understand its complete meaning , always expand the sentence to the best possible manner.

For many American students, customized vacations turn out to cost remarkably less than the initial estimateoriginally seemed customized vacations would.

replacing the highlighted parts by pronouns ,
initial estimate by it ( impersonal pronoun, as initial estimate has no mention in the sentence )
customized vacations by they .

So the ans is E .

There is also one more beautiful concept in this ques, which I will discuss if someone points out to that particular point.

Good Luck !!

Hi,

Thank you for the explanation.

is the concept about verb tenses?

If not then can you please explain the tense usage here..

Customized vacations turn out [present]...than they originally seemed [past]
or as in the correct choice ..

Customized vacations turn out [present]...than it originally seemed [past] they would [future from past point of view]

I hope I am making sense.

Thank you

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