Why A and not D?

My understanding of A as the correct answer stems from lines 41-42 "whether strictly narrative or narrative with emphasis on a causal argument." Answer A conforms to this idea via the statement "with special attention paid to the circumstances that led to her discovery of radium. " This answer supplies language (e.g. "led") in line with the passage's mention of a causal argument. In other words, Marie Curie would not have discovered radium if it were not for these special circumstances. Therefore this causal relationship between special circumstances and chronology (a traditional form of history) meets the qualities of the definition of "traditional history" as addressed in the passage. While D clearly describes the newspaper's attempt to make an argument, it doesn't necessarily come off as causal.

Great answer! I would agree about causality.