Despite Japan’s

[BTGmoderatorDC]

Despite Japan's relative isolation from world trade at the time, the prolonged peace during the Tokugawa shogunate produced an almost explosive expansion of commerce.

A) Japan's relative isolation from world trade at the time, the prolonged peace during the Tokugawa shogunate
B) the relative isolation of japan from world trade at the time and the Tokugawa shogunate's prolonged peace, it
C) being relatively isolated from world trade at the time, the prolonged peace during Japan's Tokugawa shogunate
D) Japan's relative isolation from world trade at the time during the Tokugawa shogunate, prolonged peace
E) its relative isolation from world trade then, prolonged peace in Japan during the Tokugawa shogunate

What's wrong with options B and D?

OA A

[GMATGuruNY]

Despite Japan's relative isolation from world trade at the time, the prolonged peace during the Tokugawa shogunate produced an almost explosive expansion of commerce.

A) Japan's relative isolation from world trade at the time, the prolonged peace during the Tokugawa shogunate
B) the relative isolation of japan from world trade at the time and the Tokugawa shogunate's prolonged peace, it
C) being relatively isolated from world trade at the time, the prolonged peace during Japan's Tokugawa shogunate
D) Japan's relative isolation from world trade at the time during the Tokugawa shogunate, prolonged peace
E) its relative isolation from world trade then, prolonged peace in Japan during the Tokugawa shogunate

What's wrong with options B and D?

OA A

In B, it lacks a clear referent.
Eliminate B.

C: Despite being relatively isolated, the prolonged peace
Here, being relatively isolated seems to refer to the prolonged peace, implying that THE PROLONGED PEACE was being relatively isolated.
This meaning is nonsensical.
Eliminate C.

In D, at the time and during are redundant.
Eliminate D.

E: Despite its relative isolation, prolonged peace
Here, its seems to refer to prolonged peace, conveying the following meaning:
Despite prolonged peace's relative isolation...
This meaning is nonsensical.
Eliminate E.

The correct answer is A.