Institution: জাতীয় কবি কাজী নজরুল ইসলাম বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় (JKKNIU) Exam: ক ইউনিট || জাতীয় কবি কাজী নজরুল ইসলাম বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় || 2012
Topic: Sentence (বাক্য), Subject: English Grammar (ইংরেজি গ্রামার)

Best Answer Explained in Below-:

The sentence "There were two people on board" provides a straightforward assertion about the presence of two individuals on a vehicle or platform, but it lacks additional detail or complexity. The correct choice, "There were two people who were on board," adds a layer of complexity by incorporating a relative clause. This clause ("who were on board") specifies and can further emphasize the two people being referred to.

Option A, "There were two people standing on board," implies an action (standing) that is not present in the original sentence. While it maintains the number and location of the individuals, it alters the meaning by introducing a specific posture.

Option B, "There were two people and they were standing on board," introduces a conjunction that adds an extra clause. While this option conveys more information, it complicates the sentence unnecessarily, deviating from the original simplicity.

Option C, "There were a board where were the people," is grammatically incorrect and does not indicate the presence of two individuals effectively.

In summary, option D maintains the essential information while enhancing grammatical clarity with a relative clause, making it the best choice for preserving the original meaning while embedding a small amount of sophistication.