<p>I agree with stuck-on-1700's grammar logic.</p>
<p>I'm not going to lie, I probably would've picked D because I would be zooming through the Writing too fast.</p>
<p>But as I peruse the sentence again, people are referred to as "who."</p>
<p>Forgot what it is called, but I read it in Barron's.</p>
<p>Do you guys know if PR's writing tends to harder or easier or the same as the actual tests?</p>
<p>C-who means person</p>
<p>D...it's simply more clear...and concise.</p>
<p>god what a stupid question it stumped me i was so sure it was D</p>
<p>No it can't be D because it stated the "FIRST people" so it must contain a past tense verb. It must maintain its past tense form, in order to agree with "they had crossed".</p>
<ol>
<li>The first people [that reached] North America almost certainly did so without knowing they had crossed into a new continent. </li>
</ol>
<p>(A) same
(B) which reached
(C) who reached
(D) to reach
(E) that had reached</p>
<p>I think it's pretty much covered that A,B, and E are wrong. If you do not know why, think about it.</p>
<p>Now, why is C the correct answer and why is D not the correct answer? Clearly, there isn't any wrong with C as grammar goes. Now, as for D, there are two issues (I'm not using word "problem" because I'm not completely sure) that might make it as wrong answer. First, it can make sentence wordy. By using infinitive "to reach," this sentence is pretty confusing to read because there are three verbs that are in action of the sentence. Now, second reason is where I'm not completely sure about. Although people do use "to verb" as description, this may not be correct. There are four cases that infinitives can be used:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>After verb to enhance the action
Ex: John supported his boss to get the promotion.</p></li>
<li><p>After adjective to enhance the action
Ex: Sally was glad to meet him.</p></li>
<li><p>After adjective and word "enough" is used.
Ex: I'm nice enough to deal with you.</p></li>
<li><p>After preposition "for" or word "in order" is used.
Ex: In order to go to Ivy League school, a good SAT score is necessary.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I agree that content does matter on writing section and in this case, this sentence with C is somewhat confusing. But you also need to consider grammar. Feel free to criticize my argument. Thanks.</p>