IMO A. Although I am inclined towards E as well, but not sure if scholars actually 'used' the accounts of ancient writers.

MY PICK IS E

oa is E.

I was at the same point a/e.

can someone explain

thanks

hi,
SIR "A" SAYS="Based on accounts of various ancient writers". its a noun modifier and after a noun modifier we should hav a subject. RIGHT BUT. WE HAV SCHOLARS HERE. BUT SCHOLARS WERE NOT BASED ON ACCOUNTS OF VARIOUS ANCENT WRITERS INSTEAD THEY USED THE ACCOUNTS. ITS A MISPLACED MODIFIER AND IS WRONG.
THANKS.

Hey Gurpinder,

I think that you can answer this question based on "meaning" .

(A) Based on accounts of various ancient writers,
Here the author is saying that scholars painted there pictures that were based on accounts of various ancient writers, if you look closely you will see that you can not paint a picture based on somebody's account. you have to use these accounts for finding out the technicalities of the picture.

(E) Using accounts of various ancient writers,
This is the correct answer because you are painting picture using the accounts.

Take Away: If you keep an eye on the meaning you would be able to solve most of the GMAT SC questions.

One of the ways that I solve this kind of modifiers question is by converting the dependent clause into independent clause by using the subject of the independent clause.

Dependent clause - Based on accounts of various ancient writers.
Independent clause - Scholars are based on accounts of various ancient writers. --> Doen't make sense

Dependent clause - Using accounts of various ancient writers.
Independent clause - Scholars are using accounts of various ancient writers.---> Correct modifer.

Using this approach, you can find the modifer problem. Hope this helps.

@vishalj - thats a very good approach. This is just like what I do with pronouns.

@The Jock - I have kind of realized that an eye towards meaning is VERY helpful in answering most of SC's.

@ansh.kumar - you are correct. That is the error!

Thank you guys!