Q11:

Retailers reported moderate gains in their November sales, as much because of their sales of a year earlier being so bad as that shoppers were getting a head start on buying their holiday gifts.


A. of their sales of a year earlier being so bad as that

B. of their sales a year earlier having been as bad as because

C. of their sales a year earlier being as bad as because

D. their sales a year earlier had been so bad as because

E. their sales of a year earlier were as bad as that

Can anyone explain the answer too