Besides, the part that matters is the part about pushing the prices sky high.
It could be "two competing red-haired collectors both named Hans" as long as they are pushing the prices sky high.
James:
- Works of Islamic art can be expensive beyond reason.
Tim:
- And this is due to what?
James:
- ----
Tim:
- Oh, that makes sense.
A) Don’t you remember that you took a course in Islamic Art Treasures when you were at university?
B) Would-be buyers with more modest incomes can’t afford these works.
C) Islamic art is so beautiful, isn’t it?
D) Baghdad and Islamic Spain were both major centres of Arab culture in general.
E) Collectors from the oil- and gas-rich states of the Gulf push the prices sky-high.
Why E? What's the connection of islamic art with oil and gash?
Besides, the part that matters is the part about pushing the prices sky high.
It could be "two competing red-haired collectors both named Hans" as long as they are pushing the prices sky high.
I'm not a teacher, but I write for a living. Please don't ask me about 2nd conditionals, but I'm a safe bet for what reads well in (American) English.