OFFICIAL EXPLANATION
After reviewing a recent survey into parenthood, psychologists claimed that the majority of parents believed that they would probably be happier without children although many stated that they will feel less satisfied with their lives.A. After reviewing a recent survey into parenthood, psychologists claimed that the majority of parents believed that they would probably be happier without children although many stated that they will
Incorrect.
This answer choice is grammatically incorrect. In Reported Speech, when the reporting verb is in the Past tense (claimed), the following conjugated verbs should also be in the Past. However, will feel is in the Future.
What helps us identify this question as a Reported Speech question as well as identify the mistake is the following Stop Sign:
Reported Speech with a reporting verb in Past tense
B. After reviewing a recent survey into parenthood, psychologists claimed that the majority of parents believe that they would probably be happier without children although many stated that they would
Incorrect.
Although this answer choice corrects the original Reported Speech error by changing will (future) to would (past), it creates a new one. In Reported Speech, when the reporting verb is in the Past tense (claimed), the following conjugated verbs should also be in the Past. However, believe is in the Present.C. Psychologists, having reviewed a recent survey into parenthood, claimed that the majority of parents believed that they will probably be happier without children although many stated that they would
Incorrect.
Although this answer choice corrects the original Reported Speech error by changing will (future) to would (past), it creates a new one. In Reported Speech, when the reporting verb is in the Past tense (claimed), the following conjugated verbs should also be in the Past. However, will...be (happier) is in the Present.D. Having reviewed a recent survey into parenthood, psychologists claimed that the majority of parents believed that they would probably be happier without children; nevertheless, many stated that they would
This answer choice corrects the Reported Speech mistake by changing will (future) to would (past).
What helps us identify this question as a Reported Speech question as well as identify the mistake is the following Stop Sign:
Reported Speech with a reporting verb in Past tense
E. Upon reviewing a recent survey into parenthood, psychologists claimed that the majority of parents believed that they would probably be happier without children although many state that they would
Incorrect.
Although this answer choice corrects the original Reported Speech error by changing will to would, it creates a new one. In Reported Speech, when the reporting verb is in the Past tense (claimed), the following conjugated verbs should also be in the Past. However, state is in the Present.
In addition, this answer choice changes the meaning of the original question by changing After to Upon. Upon implies immediacy, while After implies a time lag, even if a short one. _________________