Interest Rates

[clar]

Interest rates on mortgages have declined steadily during the first six months of this year but virtually remained unchanged during the next three months.

(A) have declined steadily during the first six months of this year but virtually remained unchanged
(B) declined steadily during the first six months of this year but virtually remain unchanged
(C) steadily declined during the first six months of this year but remain virtually unchanged
(D) declined steadily during the first six months of this but have remained virtually unchanging’
(E) declined steadily during the first six months of this year but have remained virtually unchanged

OA E

any reasons to knock out A ?

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"the first six months of the year" is a thing of the past so should be in past tense hence A is ruled out.. Also "remained virtually unchanged" is better usage over "virtually remained unchanged"..

[clar]

'have declined' is a past perfect .. doesn't that fit the bill?