hazelnut
Regarded by publishing analysts to be increased by international tensions during the Cold War, sales of the spy novel reached the zenith in the 1960s, when most Americans perceived the U.S.S.R. like a constant threat.
(A) Regarded by publishing analysts to be increased by international tensions during the Cold War, sales of the spy novel reached the zenith in the 1960s, when most Americans perceived the U.S.S.R. like
(B) The spy novel, regarded by publishing analysts to be increased by international tensions during the Cold War, reached the zenith of its sales in the 1960s, when most Americans perceived the U.S.S.R. to be
(C) Regarded by publishing analysts as increased by international tensions during the Cold War, in the 1960s the spy novel reached the zenith of its sales, when most Americans perceived the U.S.S.R. as
(D) Reaching the zenith of its sales in the 1960s, the spy novel was regarded by publishing analysts as increased by international tensions during the Cold War, when most Americans perceived the U.S.S.R. as
(E) Regarded by publishing analysts as increased by international tensions during the Cold War, sales of the spy novel reached their zenith in the 1960s, when most Americans perceived the U.S.S.R. as
OFFICIAL EXPLANATION
The original sentence contains several errors. First, the proper idiom is "
regard X as Y" not "
regard X to be Y." Second, the use of "the zenith" is awkward here when used in reference to the sales of the spy novel; sales reached "their zenith" would be preferable. Third, the proper idiom is "to perceive as" not "to perceive like."
(A) This choice is incorrect as it repeats the original sentence.
(B) The modifier "regarded by publishing analysts to be increased by international tensions during the Cold War" incorrectly suggests that "the spy novel" has "increased"; the modifier should describe sales of the spy novel. In addition, "regard X to be Y" and "perceive X to be Y" are not the correct idioms.
(C) The modifier "regarded by publishing analysts as increased by international tensions during the Cold War" incorrectly suggests that "the spy novel" has "increased"; the modifier should describe sales of the spy novel.
(D) This sentence incorrectly refers to "the spy novel" as being "increased by international tensions during the Cold War." The word "increased" must be applied to the sales of the spy novel.
(E) CORRECT. "Sales" is correctly positioned as the subject of the opening modifier. Additionally, the phrases "regarded by publishing analysts as . . ." and "perceived the U.S.S.R as" are idiomatic.