578. Personal trainers and fitness coaches are to the narcissistic 1980’s just like a private fencing master and dancing teacher was to an earlier time.

(A) just like a private fencing master and dancing teacher was

(B) as have been a private fencing master and dancing teacher

(C) what private fencing masters and dancing teachers were

(D) what private fencing masters and dancing teachers are（C）

(E) just the same as private fencing masters and dancing teachers had been

关于句型表达很清楚，我的问题是动词为什么要用were而不是are ,就像前面Personal trainers and fitness coaches are to the narcissistic 1980’s 中的are 一样。

请NN们指点，谢谢！