In presenting his modus vivendi proposal, Lansing implied that the American government accepted the German view that armed merchant vessels were warships: however, when the proposal was dropped by the Wilson administration, it seemed to be reverting to the British view on this question.


a> when the proposal was dropped by the Wilson administration, it

b> after it was dropped, the Wilson administration

c> by dropping the proposal, the Wilson administration

d> the Wilson administration dropped the proposal when it

e> when they dropped the proposal, the Wilson administration


Honestly got lost between options A and C.\

all the other options are not correct.

Option B: 'It' ambigious pronoun. Also changes the meaning of the sentence. 'It' not having a clear referrent i.e The german view or the American government or the Vivendi Proposal...

Option D: Again 'it' has a unclear referrent. 'It' refers to what the 'Wilson Administration' or the American government. Also option D changes the meaning of the sentence.
The correct sentence means that when the American Government rejected the proposal, it implied that they seemed to be reverting to the British view.

The option D says that when the American government reverted to the British view, it rejected the Proposal...

The correct answer choice says that first the proposal was rejected and then it was implied that the American Government accepted the British view.

It is something like first fever came and then jaundice was stuck and not first jaundice was detected and then fever came. Though in the original sentence, it is very difficult to find out the meaning.

Option E: Again incorrect pronoun, 'The American Government' is singular so 'it' should be used.

Option A: "when the proposal was dropped by the Wilson administration, it"


Even after the when clause is initiated, there are two subjects in the clause, 'the proposal' and
'the Wilson administration'. Both are singular as well. So here 'it' becomes ambigious as you cannot say specifically as to 'it' represents what. Hence I would go for C.

Though A and C mean the same but because of a minor technical fault in option A, C wins here...


Hope this helps you to understand in this sentence.

This sentence was basically testing 2 parameters: Pronouns and Meaning.