Based on the writings of various long-dead pilgrims,

OA:E ..
in A .."various" is redundant .

Certainly E for the sake of correct modifier...

Based on the writings of various long-dead pilgrims, textbook authors have painted a questionable portrait of the lifestyles of the Native American tribes that existed in America during the early colonization period.

(A) Based on the writings of various long-dead pilgrims - wrong since authors are not based on sth.
(B) Basing it on long-dead pilgrims' writings - basing actually what?
(C) With writings of long-dead pilgrims used for a basis - wordy
(D) By the writings of long-dead pilgrims they used - authors have painted portrait by the writings?
(E) Using writings of long-dead pilgrims - the best answer

IMHO (E)

E

"using..." modifies "textbook authors"

B,C and D are out on first sight.
A is ambiguous as textbook authors are not based on pligrim's writings.

E is the best option.

Based on the writings of various long-dead pilgrims, textbook authors have painted a questionable portrait of the lifestyles of the Native American tribes that existed in America during the early colonization period.

(A) Based on the writings of various long-dead pilgrims
(B) Basing it on long-dead pilgrims' writings
(C) With writings of long-dead pilgrims used for a basis
(D) By the writings of long-dead pilgrims they used
(E) Using writings of long-dead pilgrims

Textbook authors are not based on the writings of long-dead pilgrims, but rather, textbook authors
use the writings of long-dead pilgrims to paint a questionable portrait of the lifestyles of the Native American tribes...

Option E, is thus the best answer.

B/w A & E,I chose option A bt the OA was option E

(A) Based on the writings of various long-dead pilgrims- textbook authors cannot be based on the writings. mispalced modifier.
(B) Basing it on long-dead pilgrims' writings--Idiomatically wrong
(C) With writings of long-dead pilgrims used for a basis -- used for a basis is wrong
(D) By the writings of long-dead pilgrims they used -- used by the writings is wrong
(E) Using writings of long-dead pilgrims -- the textbook authors used writings of long-dead pilgrims, which is correct

I think its ofcourse! "E"....can some1 tell wht the correct answer is?

Hi all, is it clearly A, the modifier is the key

Cheers

can anyone confirm the right ans pls?

The authors are not based on the writings so A is out. D is just awkward as hell, out. Make that B,C and D. all out. Must be E which reads best and does not have the misplaced modifier.

I hope this helps. If you found it helpful, please give kudos.
Thanks,
Skip

E it is.

A is incorrect because authors cannot be based on the writings.

Authors can use the writings.

The answer is E. This type of error has been mentioned in Manhattan GMAT SC guide.

E it is.
Based( verb-ed modifier or past participle modifier) needs to modify the noun subject i.e authors which is incorrect.
using(verb-ing mod or present participle clause )is clearly mod authors n hence correct.

many would come down to A and E
out of which E is the best answer

Most certainly (E) is the correct answer choice because first it is concise ( ) and secondly because if you notice, the voice in this sentence is passive. So if we were to make this sentence active by replacing each of the given answer choices after the subject "textbook authors" it would be clearly evident which would be the correct choice.

e.g. Textbook authors,using writing of long-dead pilgrims, have used....
The modifier clearly refers to the subject "Tectbook authors"

All the other options are either too wordy or do not refer correctly to the subject!