关于OG13第50题的问题

Accoding to some analysist, the gains in the stock macket reflect growing confidence (that the economy will avoid the recession that many had feared earlier in the year and instead come) in for a "soft landing,'' followed by a gradual increase in business activity.
A. that the economy will avoid the recession that many had feared earlier in the year and instead come
B.in the economy to avoid the recession, what many feared earlier in the year, rather to come
C.in the economy's ability to avoid the recession, something earlier in the year many had feared, and instead to come
D. in the economy to avoid the recession, many were feared earlier in the year, and rather to come
E. that the economy will avoid the recession that was feared earlier in the year by many, with it instead coming

请问：
1、为什么不选D？
2、earlier in this year 是“今年早些时候”的意思吗？那么，A中的 had feared 为什么要用过去完成时态？
先谢过啦~~