Q40:

Since February, the Federal Reserve has raised its short-term interest rate target five times, and because of the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will be raised again in November.

1. because of the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will
2. with the economy’s strength continuing, analysts predicted for weeks that the target
3. because the economy continues strong, analysts predicted for weeks that the target would

4. due to the economy’s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target
5. due to the fact of the economy’s continued strength, analysts predicted for weeks that the target will

answer: C

please help and explain! thanks!!