(A) while earlier the Bodleian has been
(B) where the Bodleian earlier is
(C) just as earlier the Bodleian had been
(D) as the earlier Bodleian has been
(E) the Bodleian earlier being
Solution:
Tenses
“Ashmolean” was the “first public museum”; (and before this event there was some other event)--
“Bodleian” was the “first truly public library”.
So clearly there are two events and one event occurs before the other.
The second event (Ashmolean was the first public museum) is in simple past tense.
So the first event (Bodleian)took place before the second (use of “earlier” indicates that). Therefore, second event cannot be in present tense.
Hence, A, B, and D are incorrect because of the use of “has been”, “is”, and “has been”.
E: use of “being” unnecessarily makes the sentence passive.
C: Best choice. “had been” makes it clear that the “Bodleian” event took place before “Ashmolean”.
Sentence Correction - 1000 Questions with Solution:
