Badly confused

[suyash.tiwari]

The increase in unemployment rates, coupled with significantly increased retail prices as well as energy costs, are forcing many homeowners to look into alternative sources of fuel in order to save money on winter heating.


1)unemployment rates, coupled with significantly increased retail prices as well as energy costs, are


2)rates of unemployment, coupled with significant increases in retail prices and energy costs, have been


3)unemployment rates, coupled with significant increases in both retail prices and energy costs, is


4)unemployment rates, coupled with significantly increased retail prices as well as energy costs, is


5)rates of unemployment, coupled with significant increases in both retail as well as energy costs, had been

I am stuck between 3 and 4.
OA:3
I am not convinced that answer should be 3. I feel that it should be 4, since 3 alters the meaning of the sentence.
coupled with significant increases in both retail prices and energy costs is in present tense whereas
coupled with significantly increased retail prices as well as energy costs is clearly in past tense.
I most of the forums where i saw the explanation, people did not have any clear definite reason to choose 3. The reason they sighted were just abstract.
Can somebody please explain why 4 is wrong here, even though it maintains the right meaning as that of the original sentence.

[nhsumon_loll]

i thought i would be d...

[jnelson0612]

We're happy to help, but according to forum guidelines we need to have you provide an original source for this question first. Thanks! :-)

[vikas.tarachandani]

increase in employment rated can not be coupled with increased prices... increase should be coupled with increase only... hence , nail 3.

[jnelson0612]

Again, everyone, we do need an original source to be able to keep this thread posted. Thanks!