<p>Yes, all else equal, a shorter sentence (not fewer words) always wins (all else is never equal though). </p>
<p>The problem with choice C though is clarity. The sentence is awkward and somewhat illogical. I think the explanation by crazybandit is pretty good. “by forcing” would be a phrase used to explain how Jane Eyre made her difficult choices. But what comes next in the sentence is an example of one of those choices. Really, the problem is with the use of the preposition “by”. It just doesn’t fit in with what the sentence is attempting to do… state that the subject made difficult choices and then give an example of one of those choices. If the sentence were stating what the subject did and then describing how she did it, then the preposition “by” would be fine. </p>
<p>Choice E on the other hand creates a logical sentence. Appropriate phrasing is used to transition from what the subject did to an example of that something. </p>
<p>Sorry this is not in grammatical prose. There are more qualified posters around here to do that. But it really isn’t necessary. I think many students do not like the phrase “including forcing” and as a result look for another choice. And that is why this is question #13 and not question #3. If you accept that there is nothing wrong with “including forcing” (there isn’t), choice E becomes the obvious answer.</p>
haha nvr used tht face b4</p>