429. Inflation in medical costs slowed in 1986 for the fifth consecutive year but were still about 50 percent greater than the rate of price increases for other items included in the consumer price index.

(A) Inflation in medical costs slowed in 1986 for the fifth consecutive year but were
(B) Inflation in medical costs slowed for the fifth consecutive year in 1986 but was
(C) In 1986 inflation in medical costs were slowed for the fifth consecutive year but were
(D) 1986 was the fifth consecutive year in which inflation in medical costs slowed but was
(E) 1986 was the fifth consecutive year that inflation in medical costs were slowed, but they were

Solution:

Subject-verb Agreement + Logical

“Inflation” is singular; therefore, singular verb “was” will be used for it.
Hence, A, C, and E are incorrect because “were” violates subject-verb agreement.
D: Incorrectly suggests that “medical costs” slowed. Actually “inflation” slowed.
B: “Inflation slowed but was…” maintains subject-verb agreement. Best choice.

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