Observing that traditional television puppets only can convey a limite

I chose (B). It took me 1 minute and 11 seconds.

(C) can be ruled out as it results in an incomplete clause.

Normally, we put "only" after the first auxiliary verb such as "can". (A) and (E) are contrary to the convention.

Now, between (B) and (D), I realized that the place of "Only" can change the emphasis and therefore meaning. Here, it makes more sense to emphasize "the limited range of expressions" rather than the verb "convey". So, I chose (B) over (D).

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION


As a strategic matter, I think it is easier to find errors in verb tense or form than it is to find errors in the placement of the word only.

Split #1: Verb tense

The verb in the non-underlined portion is in the past tense (began), so logically, the beginning of the sentence must describe an action in the past as well.

Options A and D incorrectly use can, which is in the present tense.
Eliminate A and D.

In addition, the underlined portion must contain a conjugated verb.
Option C uses a verbal, the verbal conveying. which is not a working verb.
Eliminate C.

Split #2: placement of only

The word "only" should modify limited range of expressions.
Option E incorrectly places "only" before the verb could convey.
The old puppets had few expressions; they had only a limited range of expressions.
Eliminate option E.

The correct answer is B.

If you are a native or near-fluent speaker who can hear without a shred of doubt that the correct idiomatic phrase is range of expressions rather than expressive range,
you could eliminate option E on that basis, too.
Do not memorize this idiom.
If you know the phrasing, great.
Otherwise, do not worry about this idiomatic expression.

COMMENTS

Although there are a couple of minor mistakes, overall these answers are good. Nice work.

My choice is B option.

1) Can only is more preferred to Only Can. So i eliminate A and E.

2) Now here the intended meaning is Muppet creator observed that puppets can only convey a limited range of expressions, that is why he redesigned puppets in order to allow them to express wide array of emotions.

In A, C, D and E, see carefully the word 'only' before convey is putting emphasis on 'convey', not the expressions. The intended meaning is disturbed. So B left.

option A,E can be eliminated on the basis of wrong position of 'only'.It changes the intended meaning from television puppets being lower preferred choice(intended meaning ) to the only choice .
C misses a verb(incomplete clause)
between B & D - D also can be eliminated on the basis of meaning as it says 'can only convey'(as if tv puppets are capable of doing something else too.
B CLEARLY STATES MEANING AND HENCE IS THE WINNER

Here's my reasoning for going with answer choice B

A) only can convey a limited range of expressions, -- It means ONLY telvelsion puppets can convey limited range of expressions

B) could convey only a limited range of expressions,--The main verb "Began" is in the past tense . Jim Henson , observed something is past so use of could is correct . Only is placed correctly

C) conveying a limited range of expressions only,-- only is misplaced.Also conveying seems to means that television puppets are cureently conveying something

D) can only convey a limited expressive range,---Only is misplaced

E) only could convey a limited expressive range,-- Only is misplaced

The official explanation is here.

A, D and E distort the meaning of sentence which is trying to compare the limited range of expressions by the television puppets vis-a-vis the flexible foam puppets.

Between, B and C, C uses "limited" as well as "only", almost looks redundant. B is the winner.

Observing that traditional television puppets only can convey a limited range of expressions, Muppets creator Jim Henson began creating characters out of flexible foam rubber in order to allow them to express a wider array of emotions.

A) only can convey a limited range of expressions,
—> only is wrongly placed

B) could convey only a limited range of expressions,
—> correct

C) conveying a limited range of expressions only,
—> a verb is missing for that clause

D) can only convey a limited expressive range,
—> tense is wrong for “can”. Subordinate clause usually follows the main claue’s tense.

E) only could convey a limited expressive range,
—> only is wrongly placed.

1) The word "only" will generally come after an auxillary verb like can. Using this we can eliminate A & E
2)The correct idiomatic phrase is "range of expressions" not expressive range.

So the correct answer is B