New items developed for automobiles in the 1997 model year included a safer air bag , which, unlike previous air bags, eliminated the possibility that a burst of smoke would appear when the bag inflated, and making an already terrified passenger think the car was on fire.

(A) inflated, and making
(B) inflated, so that it could make
(C) inflated and made
(D) inflated and make
(E) inflated to make

The correct answer is D. inflated and make

Explanation:

The first option is not possible because the action is in the present simple not in the present continuous. The second option presents a possibility, so we can discard that option. The third option is in the past simple, so is not possible to use it there. and the last one uses an infinitive verb but the verb "to make" needs to be conjugated there so it is not possible to use the infinitive. The most accurate is the fourth answer.