Slight growth in the number of unemployed truck drivers is

I would choose D

A slight growth is redundant when we are already qualifying the growth by comparing it with the growth in the previous years.
Also, IMO - growth in the number is not correct usage, the number can rise...but growth of the number?

I agree that 'increase in number' is preferable over growth. I crossed out (D) because I thought there's a 'be' behind the 'not to', which would otherwise make the sentence un-idiomatic.

But reading it again now (without the 'be' of course ), D is better. I'll amend my answer here to D.

isn't "D" missing a "the" i.e. not to the levels, instead "D" says "not to levels

I think "the levels" sounds better, but I wonder if the is required/necessary. We are already qualifying levels by attaching it to the last few years.

It's perfectly fine to go without 'the' in this sentence. It doesn't matter if we say 'not to the levels expected' or 'not to levels expected' Losing 'the' does not change the meaning of the sentnece, nor do we commit a grave grammatical error.

At least, that's what I think.

sorry I edited it. I change my answer from (A) to (B).

(B) it is.

(A): "the" missing
(C): misplaced "expected"
(D): although introduces new clause not any phrase.
(E): wordy and (it is not prefered)

any OA for this question ?

I choose B

(A) I have no definite reason to pick this
(C) a little confusing
(D) seems like the drivers have the choice to be unemployed.
(E) not sure what 'it' is referring to

Slight growth in the number of unemployed truck drivers is expected for the third quarter of next year but will not be at levels experienced in the last few years, according to representatives of the Teamsters Union.
(A) Slight growth in the number of unemployed truck drivers is expected for the third quarter of next year but will not be at
(B) A slight growth is expected in the number of unemployed truck drivers for the third quarter of next year but will not be at
(C) The expected number of employed truck drivers for the third quarter of next year will grow slightly, but will not be at
(D) The number of unemployed truck drivers is expected to rise in the third quarter of next year, although not to
(E) It is expected that a slight growth in the number of unemployed truck drivers in the third quarter of next year, but will not be at


the OA=D
But im not convinced becuase D says" The number of unemployed truck " say that from 15 to 20.....
but A/B says "slight growth in number" wich means that the if the total change was from 15-20 then the number grew by 5.......compared which for was year may have been 2 or 3 or anything.......

correct me pls