Shortly after their first expeditions to the region, the Spanish initi

Question

Shortly after their first expeditions to the region, the Spanish initiated a number of attempts to subjugate the Maya,  but it takes some 170 years  before the Spanish established substantive control over all Maya lands.

A. but it takes some 170 years

B. but it took some 170 years

C. but it was going to take some 170 years

D. but they took some 170 years

E. but they would take some 170 years

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VirenShah · Answer

Is answer D correct ? Can anyone guide ?

Bunuel · Answer

The OA is not D. The OA will be posted in November. Meanwhile you are most welcome to post your analysis.

hloonker · Answer

My answer is B - will wait for the explanation when it is released. thanks.

PriyamRathor · Answer

Choice A is not correct as the entire statement is talking about some past event. Hence takes is incorrect.

Choice C was going to take is too wordy . Why would I use past continuous tense to depict something happened in past . Use of SIMPLE past tense is apt for stating a past fact.

Choice D and E . No antecedent for the pronoun they. They cannot refer to SPANISH .

Choice B is winner.

Thanks.

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Oppenheimer1945 · Answer

Since it's is given "170 years before", you can use simple past tense .

It is more meaningful to use Pronoun "it" as it states a fact, and not use Pronoun "they"

So option B is correct here

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Shortly after their first expeditions to the region, the Spanish initi

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Shortly after their first expeditions to the region, the Spanish initi

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