Sentence Correction

Critical-thinking instruction is predicted on two assumptions: that there are clearly
identifiable thinking skills that students can be taught to recognize and apply
appropriately, and if recognized and applied, students will become more effective
thinkers.

A. if recognized and applied, students
B. if these skills are recognized and applied, that students
C. if students recognize and apply them, that they
D. that if recognized and applied, students
E. that if students recognize and apply these skills, they

OA is E. But what does E refer to? Can they refer to skills? if not why?

Let's Break this sentence!

Critical-thinking instruction is predicted on two assumptions:
--->that there are clearly identifiable thinking skills that students can be taught to recognize and apply appropriately,
---->and if recognized and applied, students will become more effective
thinkers.
the second part of the sentence IF recognized is not parallel to the first part. the two assumptions should start with that

So Choices A, B and C are out

Choice D says "that if recognized and applied" who should recognized and apply? however, Choice E is clear that if students recongize and apply these skills, they (students) will become more effective thinkers.[/u]