Practice GMAT Sentence Correction Question

The people of the ancient Assyrian Empire were renowned warriors, although they also crafted some of the best-preserved ancient art.

A)	were renowned warriors, although they also crafted
B)	had been renowned warriors, although they also crafted
C)	were renowned warriors, and also crafted
D)	was renowned warriors, although they also crafted
E)	were renowned warriors, but also crafting

Correct Answer: A

The subject (people, which is plural) must agree with the verb (were, which is plural).

The two verbs (were and crafted) should be in the same tense since both happened at the same time in the past.

This correct sentence is written such that the subject and verb agree
had been renowned is improperly constructed in the past perfect tense, implying that the Assyrian Empire stopped being known for renown warriors before its people crafted well-preserved art
The comma improperly splits the sentence, creating a comma splice
The subject (people, which is plural) does not agree with the verb (was, which is singular)
The use of the participle crafting is improper and should be replaced by a verb