Researchers have found that creative expression

[gmatdriller]

Researchers have found that creative expression, when unfettered associatively by production quotas, can help to lower stress and ease anxiety.
A:
B: when unfettered by associated production quotas, perhaps helped
C: when not fettered associatively by production quotas, can help
D: if not fettered associatively by production quotas, helped
E: if not fettered by associated production quotas, can help

First, I don't understand the meaning of the sentence.
What does it mean to say that creative expression is:
(i) "unfettered associatively by production quotas"
(ii) "not fettered associatively by production quotas"
(iii) "not fettered by associated production quotas"

Sorry, I have to bother someone on semantics; sometimes, I get thrown off if
a sentence seems tough to discern.

Thanks.

Source: Grockit.com
OA: E

[vikram4689]

IMO E
Well even i did not understand the meaning completely but i managed to solve. MEaning is something like - creative expression, if not disturbed by something, can help to....

1. We require a verb "can" other wise the clause after "that" will not have any verb and sentence will become RUN-ON. ( B & D - out)

2. In A & C associatively by production quotas is awkward construction & associatively is wrongly modifying verb fettered.

[gmatdriller]

I accept that a verb is required after "that".
My grouse is how to realize under tight testing condition that the modifier is indeed wrongly placed.

Between
(i) "creative expression if not fettered associatively by production quotas" AND
(ii)"creative expression if not fettered by associated production quotas"

what does it mean to say "creative expression" is not "fettered by associated production quotas?"
of course I understand the adj,adverb relationship, but I only want to understand the meaning of the sentence.

Thanks.