Two recent publications offer different assessment

[Freeguy]

Two recent publications offer different assessment of the career of the famous British nurse Florence Nightingale. A book by Anne Summers seeks to debunk the idealizations and present a reality ad odds with Nightingale's heroic reputation. According to Summers, Nightingale's importance during the Crimean War ...... not until near the war's end did she become supervisor of the female nurses. Additionally, Summers writes that the prevailing problems of military medicine were caused by army organizational practices, and the addition of a new nurses to the medical staff could be no more than symbolic.

1. has been exaggerated
2. was exaggerated
3. has exaggerated
4. exaggerated

My question: I'm stuck between No.1 and No.2. I don't know why No.2 must be left out. ( answer key: No.1)

Thanks!

 

[probus]

Both 1 and 2 are possible. Lacking further context, I prefer 1.

 

[Tdol]

I'd say the present perfect is better, because the exaggeration has continued up to today. If the exaggeration had finished, there wouldn't be a need for a book attempting to revise views of her work.