TOEIC test

[philadelphia]

Though the number of brands decreased, automobiles continued to be as popular as they ____ before the oil shortage.

A) have been
B) had been
C) be
D) were being

I picked up B).

Please answer and comment if possible.

[Rover_KE]

B is correct.

The others are in the wrong tense.

Rover

[philadelphia]

B is correct.

The others are in the wrong tense.

Rover

Thank you very much, Rover. Still, the answer sheet of my book got me wrong while I thought I was not. It chose A) instead.

[Rover_KE]

Ignore it.

B is definitely the only correct answer.

The fact that nobody has challenged my earlier answer should confirm it for you.

Rover