Sentence Correction

Not only did the systematic clearing of forests in the United States create farmland (especially in the Northeast) and gave consumers relatively inexpensive houses and furniture, but it also caused erosion and very quickly deforested whole regions.

A. Not only did the systematic clearing of forests in the United States create farmland (especially in the Northeast) and gave consumers relatively inexpensive houses and furniture, but it also
B. Not only did the systematic clearing of forests in the United States create farmland (especially in the Northeast), which gave consumers relatively inexpensive houses and furniture, but also
C. The systematic clearing of forests in the United States, creating farmland (especially in the Northeast) and giving consumers relatively inexpensive houses and furniture, but also
D. The systematic clearing of forests in the United States created farmland (especially in the Northeast) and gave consumers relatively inexpensive houses and furniture, but it also
E. The systematic clearing of forests in the United States not only created farmland (especially in the Northeast), giving consumers relatively inexpensive houses and furniture, but it

Hi,

Here it tests two Idioms.

Not only X ..... But also Y
and
.....X, but Y

Note : when you use "Not only and but also " make sure X and Y are same side.

Coming to question,
A) Idiom usage is wrong. (Not only did.....,but it also )
B) Again same idiom usage.(Not only did.....,but also ) did is missing
C) shift in tenses. (creating and caused)
D) CORRECT(....clearing forest created X.....,but it also caused Y)
E) again idiom usage is wrong (.....Not only X, but it.....)

Thanks,
Regards,
Uva

Not only did the systematic clearing of forests in the US create farmland (especially in the Northeast) and gave consumers relatively inexpensive houses and furniture, but it also caused erosion and very quickly deforested whole regions.

a. Not only did the systematic clearing of forests in the US create farmland (especially in the Northeast) and gave consumers relatively inexpensive houses and furniture, but it also
b. Not only did the systematic clearing of forests in the US create farmland (especially in the Northeast), which gave consumers relatively inexpensive houses and furniture, but also
c. The systematic clearing of forests in the US, creating farmland (especially in the Northeast) and giving consumers relatively inexpensive houses and furniture, but also
d. The systematic clearing of forests in the US created farmland (especially in the Northeast) and gave consumers relatively inexpensive houses an furniture, but it also
e. The systematic clearing of forests in the US not only created farmland (especially in the Northeast), giving consumers relatively inexpensive houses and furniture, but it

In A, gave should be in the same tense as create: Not only DID the clearing CREATE farmland and GIVE consumers relatively inexpensive houses, but it also caused erosion. Eliminate A.

In B, which seems to refer either to farmland or to the Northeast, but neither farmland nor the Northeast gave consumers relatively inexpensive houses. Eliminate B.

In C, the subject (clearing) lacks a verb. The result is a sentence fragment. Eliminate C.

In E, not only gave...but it caused is unidiomatic. The correct idiom is NOT ONLY X BUT ALSO Y. Eliminate E.

The correct answer is D.

While not only generally should be followed by but also, it is not necessary that but it also (in the OA here) be preceded by not only.

Also:
not only X but also Y is appropriate when X and Y are SIMILAR IN NATURE:
John is not only a GREAT SWIMMER but also a FINE DANCER.

A: Not only did the systematic clearing create farmland, but it also caused erosion.
Here, the creation of farmland (a POSITIVE action) and the causing of erosion (a NEGATIVE action) are CONTRASTING IDEAS.
not only X but also Y cannot serve to connect contrasting ideas.
Eliminate any answer choice that includes not only.
Eliminate A, B and E.