The flood of home foreclosures that followed the large economic recession in 2008 caused housing prices to drop precipitously, which lead to the writing down of mortgage-backed securities, and, to fears of a great depression-like downward spiral.
a. which lead to the writing down of mortgage-backed securities, and, to fears of a great depression-like downward spiral
b. which led to the write-downs of mortgage-backed securities and fears of a great depression-like downward spiral
c. which lead to the write-down of mortgage-backed securities and the fears of a great depression-like downward spiral
d. leading to write-downs of mortgage-backed securities and fears of a great depression-like downward spiral
e. leading to write-downs of mortgage-backed securities and, fears of a great depression-like downward spiral

Answer and Explanation:

The answer is d. leading to write-downs of mortgage-backed securities and fears of a Great Depression-like downward spiral.

The question has to aspects 1) the writing down of mortgage-backed securities and 2) Fears of a great depression-like downward spiral.

The reason for not selecting option a and option b is that both sentences do not have these two aspects in parallel to each other.

Option c has the parallel affect, however, it has the word 'the' twice for the same affect. Idiomatically sounds wrong.

Option e does not have that parallel relationship.

Option d is the right choice since it takes into account the parallel relationship as well as correct idiomatically.

answer; sales of books;

since the options are not listed, when you are working on your budget you should also add water, tv, internet, miscellaneous and your 'fun' money for in your budget. when budgeting, you need to allow for fun money, and mis/accidental money so that you stick to the budget and not go crazy because you feel strapped to the budget.