967. In the late nineteenth century Annie Besant was widely regarded as one of the greatest living public orators, second only to Gladstone in a culture where oratory was the dominant public medium.

(A) as one of the greatest living public orators, second only
(B) to be one of the greatest living public orators, secondary only
(C) that she was one of the greatest living public orators, secondary only
(D) as being one of the greater living public orators she was only second
(E) to be greater than most other living public orators, and she was second only

Solution:

Idioms

B (regarded to be), C (regarded that), and E (regarded to be)—unidiomatic. Furthermore “secondary only to” is unidiomatic in B and C.
D: is wordy and use of being (passive) makes it awkward and hence incorrect. It should be “one of the greatest” in place of “one of the greater”.
A: The best choice because “regard as” is idiomatic.


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