A question from one of the MGMAT practice tests

[17.saurabh]

Based on recent box office receipts, the public's appetite for documentary films, like nonfiction books, seems to be on the rise.

like nonfiction books
as nonfiction books
as its interest in nonfiction books
like their interest in nonfiction books
like its interest in nonfiction books

Correct answer is E. However, its refers to public but public is not mentined in the sentence. Can somebody please explain what am I missing here?

Thanks,
Saurabh

[tim]

"its" refers to "public's", not "public", and this is totally acceptable since both are possessives. make sure to familiarize yourself thoroughly with the rules about which types of pronouns can refer to which types of antecedents..