Quite a tricky question.. following is what I think..

If we just breakdown the sentence into bare essentials, it would be

the army is x years old and took y artisans more than 36 years to complete...

seems perfectly alright on the first read..

if I still go ahead and remove few extra words.. it becomes

the army ... took y artisans more than 36 years to complete

seems alright again..

I do not have any logical explanation for not having "it".. its just that "it" seems unnecessary..

OA is (C)

https://www.beatthegmat.com/pyramids-of- ... 25615.html

the OA is C only!

It refers to army only.

But does the choice many any sense?

The army took X years to complete the army?

Hence C is the OA

goelmohit2002 wrote:

BlindVision wrote: B) it has no referent.

Hi blindvision,

isn't it refers to army here ? What is the problem with it refering to army here ?

Hi goelmhohit2002! The it makes the reading a little confusing because we're not sure if it refers to the army or afterlife; just give that part a second slow read and it may stand out. Nevertheless, it is unnecessary and should be ommited because it's understood that the army of terra-cotta warriors is the subject.

Hope that Helps!

BlindVision wrote: Nevertheless, it is unnecessary and should be ommited because it's understood that the army of terra-cotta warriors is the subject.

Thanks Blind Vision.

Can you please tell more about this rule. If possible, then can you please point me to a location where I can read about this rule in a bit more detail.

Kindly help me understand how does the subject been known eliminates the requirement of "it" ?

There are a few it rules in the explanations of OG11 when practicing the SC section. If I do come across a particular link or reference, I will gladly share it with you.

Rivaling the pyramids of Egypt or even the ancient cities of the Maya as an achievement, the army of terra-cotta warriors created to protect Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor, in his afterlife is more than 2,000 years old and took 700,000 artisans more than 36 years to complete them.

the underlined should be "the army of terrao-coota warriors...took 700,000 artisans more than 36 yrs to complete.
"
A. took 700,000 artisans more than 36 years to complete them
-here "them" is unnecessary & incorrect

B. took 700,000 artisans more than 36 years to complete it

-"it" not necessary

C. took 700,000 artisans more than 36 years to complete

correct

D. 700,000 artisans took more than 36 years to complete

-the artisans are not subject but the warriors are, thus we need the passive voice

E. to complete them took 700,000 artisans more than 36 years

again awkward

IMO C