17.The recent surge in the number of airplane flights has clogged the nation’s air-traffic control system, to lead to 55 percent more delays at airports, and prompts fears among some officials that safety is being compromised. (A) to lead to 55 percent more delays at airports, and prompts (B) leading to 55 percent more delay at airports and prompting (C) to lead to a 55 percent increase in delay at airports and prompt (D) to lead to an increase of 55 percent in delays at airports, and prompted (E) leading to a 55-percent increase in delays at airports and prompting 答案E。为什么不是B 呢? E的increase in 虽然比较好, 但是后面的delays为复数呀。delay是不可数的呀
according to Merriam Webster Dictionary, the meaning of delay as a noun includes (1) the act of delaying: the state of being delayed (2) an instance of being delayed. In this question, regard "delay" as any one of the two above, which could be used as a countable word.