very annoying sentence correction problem

[abcdefg]

Though most people take it for granted now, the nationwide admission of students to colleges and universities based on academic merit is a relatively recent phenomenon, beginning only after World War II.

Though most people take it for granted now, the nationwide admission of students to colleges and universities based on academic merit

Though it is now taken for granted by most people, the admission of nationwide students to colleges and universities based on academic merit

Now taken for granted by most people, colleges and universities admitting students based on their academic merit

Most take them for granted now, but the admission of nationwide students to colleges and universities based on their academic merit

Most people now take for granted that colleges and universities admit students nationally based on academic merit, and it

[spoiler] OA is A. I'm thinking though isn't "based on academic merit" somewhat of a dangling modifier that is actually referring to the colleges' academic merit rather than the students' academic merit? This was a very annoying sentence because I thought it was just poorly written overall. [/spoiler].

[Sher1]

This is a modifier issue questions. The first half should modify the second half of the sentence.

A and B are the only that do it. B is awkward becuse of the "admission of nationwide students" does not make sense.

[kris610]

A is perfectly fine.

If you've read the recent edition of MGMAT, it clearly says that sometimes it is perfectly fine to have the modifier and the noun it modifies separated by a phrase in certain scenarios.

Here, though "based on..." modifies admission, the phrase "to universities..." would not make sense anywhere else in the sentence.

"admission based on merit to universities and colleges" is much more awkward.

[perfectstranger]

Could someone explain why B is wrong?

[mehravikas]

'B' is passive...

Compare the first part (before the comma) of both the sentences.

Though most people take it for granted now

Though it is now taken for granted by most people

Could someone explain why B is wrong?

[sumank8216]

A

B. chnages meaning. from nationwide admission to nationwide student.
C.Modifier issue.
D, E awkward, no reference for them ..students or colleges or admissions..

thanks.

[viju9162]

It's bit confusing b/w A & B.

I went for B, but realized that A must be the answer.

In A, "it" is referring to the nationwide admission. "Based on" is the correct idiom. the nationwide admission.... is ...

B changes the meaning. the admission of nationwide students...

[tanviet]

why B is wrong

in A, "it" can not refer to "admission" because no logic

inhere "it" is explative, fake object

B is wrong because "nationwide student"

[senthil]

Why E is wrong , In A wat does 'it' refer to ?

[indiantiger]

Though most people take it for granted now, the nationwide admission of students to colleges and universities based on academic merit

Though it is now taken for granted by most people, the admission of nationwide students to colleges and universities based on academic merit [was a contender but lost]

Now taken for granted by most people, colleges and universities admitting students based on their academic merit [not correctly modifying]

Most take them for granted now, but the admission of nationwide students to colleges and universities based on their academic merit

Most people now take for granted that colleges and universities admit students nationally based on academic merit, and it (awkward)

[aalexjacob]

'B' is passive...

Compare the first part (before the comma) of both the sentences.

Though most people take it for granted now

Though it is now taken for granted by most people

Could someone explain why B is wrong?

What does admission of nationwide student mean? It is rubbish.

[aalexjacob]

Can anyone tell me what logic was used to eliminate option E.

"Most people now take for granted that colleges and universities admit students nationally based on academic merit, and it"

I used the logic that 'but' should be used instead of 'and' to show contrast.

Comments please!!!

[Bill@VeritasPrep]

Can anyone tell me what logic was used to eliminate option E.

"Most people now take for granted that colleges and universities admit students nationally based on academic merit, and it"

I used the logic that 'but' should be used instead of 'and' to show contrast.

Comments please!!!

That's a good distinction to draw. You could also look at the change from "nationwide" in the originally to "nationally" in E.

[gmat_for_life]

Experts,

What is 'it' in the original sentence basically referring to?

Amit