After announcing that one of its many problems was the

Question

After announcing that one of its many problems was the continually poor turnout at sports events, the Stadium Ownersâ€¦ Association announced that it would consolidate ownership and shutter one-third of the member-owned stadiums and thereby would return to profitability. 

 
(A) was the continually poor turnout
(B) has been the continual poor turnout
(C) has been the continually poor turnout
(D) was the continual poor turnout
(E) had been the continually poor turnout

jpv · Answer

I may be wrong, but I did not like  continually  in this sentence..

I choose (B) between (B) and (D)...

sonaketu · Answer

I guess "has been" should be used since the problem still persists. Between B & C, B is better.

maaverick · Answer

I think it is  (E) 

This piece of information is being reported. Imagine this being said by a spokesperson of Stadium Ownersâ€¦ Association: 

"One of our many problems has been the continually poor turnout at sports events, therefore, we will consolidate ownership and shutter one-third of the member-owned stadiums and thereby will return to profitability."

converting this into indirect tense, "had been" qualifies and hence  (E)

HongHu · Answer

That makes sense, although I think it is equally correct in saying "One of our many problems is the continually poor turnout ...". Perhaps the word "continue" stresses the continuation, in that sense a present/past perfect tense may be more appropriate.

qhoc0010 · Answer

Got to be (E) as same reason above.
"continually" is correct b/c it is an adv which modifies adj "poor".

greenandwise · Answer

I'm going with B because has been seems appropriate and "continual poor turnout" sounds better to me than "continually poor turnout"...but this one was challenging....OA anybody?

HongHu · Answer

"continually" is modifying the word "poor", which is an adj, so it needs to be an adv.

mbafarbe · Answer

I think C is the best since the problem still persists. So it was something in the past that happened and it continues (if it did not continue, there was no necessity for them to consolidate the membership). 

Hence it should be "has been". 

It should be continually poor.

praveen_rao7 · Answer

what a devided community we have here :-)

I am going with C on this - will explain after we get OA

Paul · Answer

Clearly b/w C and E. I would take C because, as explained, problem could be persisting today although I see nothing wrong with E. I don't think this is a GMAT quality question type

HongHu · Answer

I don't think C is right? Even if the problem persisted till today, when it is said by somebody don't we always turn present perfect into past perfect? In other words E would be the answer. You don't change tense only if it is absolute fact.

For example 
"I have a problem."
He said that he had a problem.
But
He said that the sun always rises.

DLMD · Answer

i go with E as explained by mavverick

I choose E over C because i feel the dependent clause should match the tense of the independent clause.

After announcing that one of its many problems was the

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