The following questions present a sentence, part of which or all of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence, you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.
These questions test correctness and effectiveness of expression. In choosing your answer, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is, pay attention to grammar, choice of words, and sentence construction. Choose the answer that produces the most effective sentence; this answer should be clear and exact, without awkwardness, ambiguity, redundancy, or grammatical error.
The tango club, which appeared moribund five years ago, has picked up a new step; its numbers are now three times more than when the club president decided to bring in a live band.（）
A. step; its numbers are now three times more than
B. step; its numbers are now three times greater than
C. step, their numbers now threefold that which they had been
D. step; now with numbers three times greater than
E. step, now with three times the number they had