In the following question, a sentence is given with a part in bold. The given phrase in bold may contain an error. The options following can replace the incorrect phrase. The correct phrase that is to be replaced will be your answer. If the sentence is correct as it is, then select ‘No improvement required’ as the answer.

Despite numerous attempts, the problem remained so unsolvable as it was before.

Correct option is A

Let's carefully analyze the sentence and identify any grammatical or idiomatic errors.
Original sentence:
"Despite numerous attempts, the problem remained so unsolvable as it was before."
Step-by-step analysis:
Key phrase in question:
"so unsolvable as it was before"
This phrase is incorrect.
· The correct comparative structure is:
· "as + adjective + as" — when comparing things that are equal in degree.
· "So...as" is not standard in this type of affirmative comparison.
· (It is only used in negative constructions, e.g., "not so tall as her brother.")
Therefore, the correct phrase should be:
"as unsolvable as it was before"
Now let’s examine the options:
(a) as unsolvable as it was before
Correct — this uses the standard "as...as" construction and is grammatically sound.
(b) as unsolvable than it was before
Incorrect — "than" is used with comparatives (e.g., more unsolvable than), not with "as...as".
(c) as unsolvable as it were before
Incorrect — "it were" is subjunctive and incorrect here; "was" is needed for factual statements.
(d) as unsolvable that it was before
Incorrect — "that" does not fit in any comparative structure.
(e) No improvement required
Incorrect — the original uses "so unsolvable as", which is grammatically incorrect in affirmative statements.
Correct Answer: (a) as unsolvable as it was before