A Meaning issue of SC question.

[liu1993918]

Recently, I did the 14th question of SC part in OG13.
Since I am not a native speaker, it is hard for me to understand the minor meaning difference between the options.

My first question is what is the difference among "corresponding increases in sales", "correspondingly increased sales", and “corresponding sales increases”.

Furthermore, to me "rising inventories" is more comparable to the "increased sales" than others, since those two looks like the similar structure, adj + n.

My second question is that what is the difference between the "unaccompanied" and "not accompanied".
Thanks in advance, Ron.

[RonPurewal]

Since I am not a native speaker, it is hard for me to understand the minor meaning difference between the options.

if you're talking about meaning differences that actually ARE "minor", then you will never have to worry about such things.

this exam will never require an understanding of minor subtleties of meaning!
if the problem requires you to identify meaning differences, then those differences will be pronounced.

[RonPurewal]

for instance, "corresponding increases in sales" vs. "corresponding sales increases" is an insignificant difference in meaning.
however, there's a very clear difference in modifier placement: in the former version, "corresponding" is placed directly adjacent to "increases", which it actually describes.
the latter version has objectively inferior placement--"corresponding" is placed next to "sales", which it most certainly does not describe--and so can be eliminated.

--

on the other hand, "corresponding increases in sales" and "correspondingly increased sales" are significantly different. the former refers to the increases in sales, whereas the latter refers to the sales themselves.

[RonPurewal]

My second question is that what is the difference between the "unaccompanied" and "not accompanied".
Thanks in advance, Ron.

no significant difference.