The debate over bilingual education centers on the issue of whether the United States should foster the idea of single common language, an idea, some believe, that has in the past been crucial in binding diverse constituencies together.
(A) been crucial in binding diverse constituencies together
(B) been crucial as a binding together of diverse constituencies
(C) been crucial to bind together constituencies that are diverse
(D) become crucial in binding together diverse constituencies
(E) become crucial to bind together constituencies that are diverse
OA is A. Can you please explain why D is wrong? Is it is a been vs. become thing or a binding x together vs. binding together x thing?

I think been is better than become

I guess it is the binding x together.

i believe its a kind of diction ..
we never use..I am going tomorrow home....we always say I am going home together...so that verb and corresponding object are near..

Choice 1: has been crucial vs. has become crucial

The key to making this choice: the words "in the past." Remember that the "has + past participle" structure indicates something that is still true or still going on today. "been" just indicates that something was a certain way. "become" talks about the state of it becoming that way. Is it still becoming crucial today? No (but that's what "has become" means). It's just true that it has been crucial in the past.

The placement of together is red herring - both A and D are technically fine on this issue.

Stacey

You rock. Thanks.

you're welcome!