IMO A
B)analysts predicted for weeks that the target ......is not correct prediction is not over
c)same as B
d)due to is wrong
e)due to the fact is unidiomatic
OA and source pls

Me too A

neha.patni wrote:Since February, the Federal Reserve has raised its short-term interest rate target five times, and because of the economy's continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will be raised again in November.

A. because of the economy's continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will
B. with the economy's strength continuing, analysts predicted for weeks that the target
C. because the economy continues strong, analysts predicted for weeks that the target would
D. due to the economy's continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target
E. due to the fact of the economy's continued strength, analysts predicted for weeks that the target will

The correct answer would need "will". So B,C,D are out. Now out of A and E, "due to" is wordy. Secondly, the prediction is not over yet so verb in simple past ie "predicted" is not desired here. So answer should be A

IMO C

I would go for C.

Prediction should be followed by would...

Since February, the Federal Reserve has raised its short-term interest rate target five times, and because of the economy's continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will be raised again in November.

A. because of the economy's continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will

since analysts have been predicting for weeks , so will be raised is correct usage of tense. Answer A correct.

E. due to the fact of the economy's continued strength, analysts predicted for weeks that the target will-awkward

OA is A

look at Ron's reply https://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/sin ... t3110.html

abhi332 wrote:OA is A

look at Ron's reply https://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/sin ... t3110.html

OA is D. I marked C considering that prediction is always followed by would. and in any case D doesn't make sense.

neha.patni wrote: OA is D. I marked C considering that prediction is always followed by would. and in any case D doesn't make sense.

Please check the OA again. You typed "OA is D" In the next sentence you say "D doesn't make sense". Confusing

[The response below can also be found in this thread]

"Since February" is a keyword here because it tells us that we're dealing with a present perfect time frame.

• Incorrect: Since February, analysts predicted...

• Correct: Since February, analysts have been predicting...

This leaves us with A or D.

The significant split between A/D is

• A: Analysts have been predicting that the target will be raised (in the future)

• D: Analysts have been predicting that the target be raised (in the future)

A is better. A prediction is being made in the present (present perfect actually); the action predicted should be expressed in the future.
A is correct.

Use the Drill Engine to practice similar questions in timed drills; select topic="verb Tense" and difficulty="600-700" when setting up the drill. A much more detailed discussion and video solution can also be seen at GMATPrep question 2045

Good luck,
-Patrick