43. In the minds of many people living in England, before Australia was Australia, it was the antipodes, the opposite pole to civilization, an obscure and unimagin­able place that was considered the end of the world.
A. before Australia was Australia, it was the antipodes
B. before there was Australia, it was the antipodes
C. it was the antipodes that was Australia
D. Australia was what was the antipodes
E. Australia was what had been known as the antipodes
 
1. 代词：代词不能指向虚词 ( 一级排除B,C)
In B, it has no logical referent, because the previous clause describes a time when there was no Australia. ?????
时间状语从句的主语和主句的主语一致，如果都是代词造成无法代替

2. 简洁：( 二级排除D,E)  
A was what was B ， what was 可以省略； there was 不好

3. 平行结构：时态平行

4. 保持原句意思， ==》 时间状语不能省略