two events in the past

[smagish]

.The reports from the Department of Commerce indicated that the economy had
grown at an annual rate much higher than most economists had predicted may
occur.
(A) had predicted may occur
(B) had predicted
(C) predicted the occurrence of
(D) predicted may occur
(E) predicted

[vk_vinayak]

A/C/D are simply wrong. The choices boil down to B and E.
Refer https://www.beatthegmat.com/tricky-past- ... t8740.html