Under high pressure and intense heat, graphite, the most stable form of pure carbon, changes into the substance commonly referred to as diamond and remaining this way whether or not the heat and pressure are removed.

1. remaining this way whether or not
2. remaining like that even as
3. remaining as such whether or not
4. remains in this way although
5. remains thus even when

答案是D，我的答案是E。

答案选E应该没错

thus= in this way

even when 比 although 好  因为有 假设虚拟的意思在～

The answer should be E, because thus = in this/that way/manner. (webster.com)

This is another example why you should not work on GWD：the questions are difficult ,confusing, and outdated and, to make matters worse, there are no official answers!!!

There are 600+ OG & Prep SC questions. Should be enough!

Good luck.