A higher interest rate is only one of the factors, albeit an important one, that keeps the housing market from spiraling out of control, like it did earlier in the decade.

a. keeps the housing market from spiraling out of control, like it did
b. keep the housing market from spiraling out of control, as it did
c. keeps the housing market from spiraling out of control, as it did
d. keep the housing market from spiraling out of control, like
e. keep the housing market from spiraling out of control, like it did

b. is the correct answer

Please explain what factors is the subject and not interest rate, I try to rephrase the question what keeps the housing market from spiraling out of control, it makes more since with interest rate than factors. Please I thought I am suppose to remove the middle man according to the sentence correction guide.

Thank you

take a look:

http://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/a-higher-interest-rate-is-only-one-of-the-factors-t250.html

this problem is a bit controversial; if there are any updates on our side of the fence, we'll post them in that thread.