reva
A majority of observers interviewed see the Middle East as unstable at present but
that it will, or could, become less volatile in the future.
(A) that it will, or could,
(B) that it would, or could,
(C) it will be or could
(D) believe that it will be or could
(E) think the Middle East would or could
Key decision makers:
(1) Parallelism - To make see...but...() parallel we need a verb after but. In this case, only option D and E have a verb in the beginning therefore Option A, B & C are incorrect.
D - (1) Parallelism 1 - Believe is parallel to see as verb to verb, (2) Parallelism 2 - the non underlined part has "become" that fits could - could become - to make a parallel statement ".....or could become" we need "will be" not just will. (2) Meaning - Here the reason to say will or could is to show difference in certainty - it will be (more certain) or it could become (less certain). This sentence is not describing something hypothetical, it is describing something uncertain. Therefore, using simple past tense is correct. Use of could is not contested because all options have it. So we shouldn't get confused into thinking of subjunctive or conditional mood.
E - (1) Parallelism 1 - Correct structure - see one thing but think another, (2) Parallelism 2 - By using would, the sentence is essentially talking about a hypothetical outcome. Here, the outcome is uncertain but not hypothetical. Therefore, would is incorrect.
Therefore, option D is the correct answer.
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