Sentence Correction

138. As sales of cars and light trucks made in North America were declining 13.6 percent in late February, many analysts conclude that evidence of a recovering automotive market remains slight.
(A) As sales of cars and light trucks made in North America were declining 13.6 percent in late February, many analysts conclude
(B) Since sales of cars and light trucks made in North America declined 13.6 percent in late February, and many analysts conclude
(C) With sales of cars and light trucks made in North America declining 13.6 percent in late February, with many analysts concluding
(D) Because sales of cars and light trucks made in North America declined 13.6 percent in late February, many analysts concluded
(E) Because of sales of cars and light trucks made in North America declining 13.6 percent in late February, therefore, many analysts concluded

IMO D.

declining sales (continued action) cannot be shown in percentage until it is complete. so it should be 'declined'. this leaves only B and D.

in B, since cannot go with 'and' after the comma so as to provide the contrast needed with 'since'.

Thus only D is left. What's the OA?

Gaurav Yadav wrote:IMO D.

declining sales (continued action) cannot be shown in percentage until it is complete. so it should be 'declined'. this leaves only B and D.

in B, since cannot go with 'and' after the comma so as to provide the contrast needed with 'since'.

Thus only D is left. What's the OA?

In D, "...many analysts concluded that evidence of a recovering automotive market remains slight."
remains[present] is not consistent with concluded[past]

?

vaibhav.iit2002 wrote:

Gaurav Yadav wrote:IMO D.

declining sales (continued action) cannot be shown in percentage until it is complete. so it should be 'declined'. this leaves only B and D.

in B, since cannot go with 'and' after the comma so as to provide the contrast needed with 'since'.

Thus only D is left. What's the OA?

In D, "...many analysts concluded that evidence of a recovering automotive market remains slight."
remains[present] is not consistent with concluded[past]

?

I think it's A.. Right usage of tenses... present tenses

vaibhav.iit2002 wrote:138. As sales of cars and light trucks made in North America were declining 13.6 percent in late February, many analysts conclude that evidence of a recovering automotive market remains slight.
(A) As sales of cars and light trucks made in North America were declining 13.6 percent in late February, many analysts conclude
(B) Since sales of cars and light trucks made in North America declined 13.6 percent in late February, and many analysts conclude
(C) With sales of cars and light trucks made in North America declining 13.6 percent in late February, with many analysts concluding
(D) Because sales of cars and light trucks made in North America declined 13.6 percent in late February, many analysts concluded
(E) Because of sales of cars and light trucks made in North America declining 13.6 percent in late February, therefore, many analysts concluded

OA: D via:

https://gmatclub.com/forum/138-as-sales- ... 84379.html

This is true because in A, we have a clear tense problem. If conclude were to be "concuded," I think it'd be correct.

I agreee with you vaibhav. There may be an error here.

I think the statement is trying to generalize upon the effect of prolonged " low automotive market". It can make better sense if the statement were made in the beginning of March.

Another view point is that the statement is declaring a result."Many analysts concluded that X "

X = evidence of a recovering automotive market remains low.

But that's just me. Does anyone have another explanation?

A and B can be eliminated for "were...conclude" and "declined...conclude".
C is awkward due to use of "with...with".
E is wordy in "because of" and awkward due to 'declining'.
D is the best choice.