TIANMU wrote:
During the 1980's it became clear that soliciting private funds was far more efficient for environmentalists who sought financial aid than to go to state or federal agencies.
(A) that soliciting private funds was far more efficient for environmentalists who sought financial aid
(B) that for environmentalists who sought financial aid, it was far more efficient to solicit private funds
(C) that for environmentalists seeking financial aid, private organizations were far more efficient to go to
(D) for environmentalists seeking financial aid, going to private organizations was far more efficient
(E) for environmentalists who sought financial aid, private organizations were far more efficient
Official Explanation:
The underlined portion of the sentence contains the comparison word more, so check to make sure that the items being compared are similar. The comparison is between the verbs soliciting and to appeal, which are not in the same form, so this is a parallel construction error. Eliminate choice A and look for obvious repeaters. Because none of the other answer choices use the word soliciting, there are no obvious repeaters. Evaluate the remaining answer choices individually, looking for reasons to eliminate each.
Choice B fixes the original error by making the verbs being compared to solicit and to appeal, and introduces no new errors, so keep choice B. Choice C does not repeat the same comparison error, but still incorrectly compares private organizations to to appeal to state or federal agencies. Eliminate choice C. Choice D incorrectly compares the verbs going to with to appeal, which are not parallel, so eliminate choice D. Choice E incorrectly compares private organizations to to appeal to state or federal agencies. Eliminate choice E.
Choice A: No. The elements of the comparison, soliciting and to appeal, are not parallel. Comparison.
Choice B: Correct.
Choice C: No. Private organizations is incorrectly compared to to appeal to state of federal agencies. Comparison.
Choice D: No. The elements of the comparison, going to and to appeal, are not parallel. Comparison.
Choice E: No. Private organizations is incorrectly compared to to appeal to state of federal agencies. Comparison.
The correct answer is choice B.