Video Explanation

Text Explanation

(A) A prolific writer, Sir Walter Scott's works include

In this answer choice, the appositive phrase is constructed incorrectly --- the appositive "a prolific writer" should modify the noun it touches, but that noun is "works" (since Sir Walter Scott is in the possessive.) To put it another way, the phrase "a prolific writer" is describing Sir Walter Scott, but he's not the subject of this sentence. His works are the subject. This doesn't make logical sense and can't be correct.

(B) The works of Sir Walter Scott, a prolific writer, include

This choice correct puts the appositive phrase "a prolific writer" next to its proper target, Sir Walter Scott, and it also uses a very direct and clear structure "the works … include …" This is perfectly acceptable.

(C) Sir Walter Scott was a prolific writer including in his works

The first part, up to the word "writer", is perfectly acceptable, but the modifier "including in his works" is awkward and indirect.

(D) Included in the prolific writer Sir Walter Scott's works are

This is a tremendously convoluted and indirect way to express this. Again, the appositive "the prolific writer" is next to Scott's name in the possessive, which is questionable. This can't be correct.

(E) The prolific writer's works of Sir Walter Scott include

This phrasing is strangely illogical: it suggest that Scott has several kinds of works, some of which were " prolific writer's works" and some of which were something else (??). This can't be correct.

Choice (B) is far from ideal, but (A), (D), and (E) are clearly wrong. (C) possibly could be correct. But here, choice (B) is much stronger, and is therefore the best possible answer.