(A) found that they could raise prices according to this amount without thereby provoking
(B) found that they were capable of raising prices by this amount and not provoke
(C) find that they are capable of raising prices by this amount and not provoke
(D) are finding that they can raise prices by this amount without provoking
(E) are finding that they can raise prices according to this amount and will not thereby provoke
Solution:
Parallelism
A and B, wrong tense- are becoming accustomed(present continuous) and found(simple past). Hence, parallelism is violated.
How can businesses found before people became accustomed.
In C, people are becoming businesses find violate parallelism.
E is wordy. Moreover, according to this amount is awkward.
D maintains parallelism through people are becoming businesses are finding .
Hence, D is the best choice.
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