Sentence Correction

Marconi's conception of the radio was as a substitute
for the telephone, a tool for private conversation;
instead, it is precisely the opposite, a tool for
communicating with a large, public audience.
(A) Marconi's conception of the radio was as a
substitute for the telephone, a tool for private
conversation; instead, it is
(B) Marconi conceived of the radio as a substitute
for the telephone, a tool for private
conversation, but which is
(C) Marconi conceived of the radio as a tool for
private conversation that could substitute for the
telephone; instead, it has become
(D) Marconi conceived of the radio to be a tool for
private conversation, a substitute for the
telephone, which has become
(E) Marconi conceived of the radio to be a
substitute for the telephone, a tool for private
conversation, other than what it is,

I do not understand why "conceived of the radio" is correct? Would it not be "conceived the radio" ?

Thanks,
FM

In option C , can "that" not refer to "conversation" instead of "tool".I find it ambiguous.
Can someone explain.

prachi18oct wrote:In option C , can "that" not refer to "conversation" instead of "tool".I find it ambiguous.
Can someone explain.

In most cases, a that-modifier will serve to modify the immediately preceding noun.
But it is possible for a that-modifier to refer to an earlier noun when context makes the intended referent crystal clear.
OA: Marconi conceived of the radio as a A TOOL for private conversation THAT COULD SUBSTITUTE FOR THE TELEPHONE.
Here, no reasonable reader will construe that private conversation could substitute for the telephone.
Thus, the intended meaning is crystal clear:
Marconi conceived of the radio as a A TOOL THAT COULD SUBSTITUTE FOR THE TELEPHONE.

I do not understand why "conceived of the radio" is correct?

THINKING VERB + of + NOUN is a common construction:
John THOUGHT OF X.
John KNEW OF X.
John DREAMED OF X.
John CONCEIVED OF X.