The number of undergraduate degrees in engineering awarded by colleges and universities in the United States increased by more than twice from 1978 to 1985.
(A) increased by more than twice
(B) increased more than two times
(C) more than doubled
(D) was more than doubled
(E) had more than doubled
(A) increased by more than twice
“twice” is an adverb. We need to use a noun or a noun phrase after the preposition “by’. Eliminate
(B) increased more than two times
The sentence is that the number of undergraduate degrees in..... (increased)^2 from 1978 to 1985.
Option B- The number (subject) of x increased (verb) more than two times
This option is wordy compared to option C. Eliminate
Option C- The number (subject) of x more than doubled (verb). Correct.
We choose the option that is more direct, concise, and clear.
(D) was more than doubled
The number of undergraduate degrees in engineering awarded by colleges and universities in the United States was more than doubled from 1978 to 1985.
If we intend to use the "doubling" in the past tense, then "more than doubled" is sufficient, with "doubled" acting as the verb in the past tense. There is no need to use another verb "was" as a suffix, which is redundant in (D). Eliminate
(E) had more than doubled
The use of past perfect tense is incorrect. The sentence does not indicate that one action happened before the other. Eliminate.