Sentence Correction

577. Personal trainers and fitness coaches are to the narcissistic 1980’s just like a private fencing master and dancing teacher was to an earlier time.
(A) just like a private fencing master and dancing teacher was
(B) as have been a private fencing master and dancing teacher
(C) what private fencing masters and dancing teachers were
(D) what private fencing masters and dancing teachers are
(E) just the same as private fencing masters and dancing teachers had been

OA is A

I want to know why there is plural subject in the first clause and singular in second clauss.

Answer should be C.

I want to know why there is plural subject in the first clause and singular in second clauss.
The subject private fencing master and dancing teacher in the second clause is plural and using was is a mistake
Therefore answer should be C not A

There seems to be a mistake in answer.
Whats the source?

answer is definitely C.
agrees in number and is correct idiomatic use.

I agree answer should be C

It is an analogy, the stucture is common to all analogies...X is to Y what P is to Q

The Answer is indeed 'C' and not 'A'.
The source is 1000 SC, but the question no is 578 and not 577.

Apology OA is C

Why d is not correct? Please, answer.

Vusal

OA is C
my confusion was bet C and D.
D because:

Personal trainers and fitness coaches are to the narcissistic 1980's what private fencing masters and dancing teachers are