Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the highlighted segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select ‘No substitution required’.
Over two hundred years ago, early in the eighteenth century, our ancestors h̲a̲d̲ ̲c̲o̲m̲e̲ ̲d̲o̲w̲n̲ ̲o̲v̲e̲r̲ ̲t̲h̲i̲s̲ mountain valley to seek fame and fortune in the rich plains below.

Correct option is D

The correct substitution of the highlighted words is (d) came down from that.
Explanation: The original phrase “had come down over this” is incorrect in both tense and prepositional reference. The event took place in the distant past, so we use the simple past tense – “came down”. Also, “over this” is incorrect as it implies a current location. Since it’s a past event referring to another place, we must say “from that”.
Grammatical Rule Used:
Use simple past tense for completed actions in the distant past with clear time reference.
Avoid using past perfect unless there's a later past event for comparison.
Example: They came down from that region centuries ago.
�� Information Booster:
“Over this” implies current location in present time. For past references, use “from that.”