Observing that traditional television puppets only can convey a limite

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.