Industrial pollution has done seriously and possibly irreversible dama

Correct answer: D

A: Not parallel/wrong adverb modifier "seriously" to modify noun "damage" (should be written "serious ... and possibly irreversible damage")
B: Wordy/awkward. Verb form (simple past vs. present perfect). "Seriously" should be the adjective "serious" as it modifies "damage."
C: Verb form as in B. "Serious" here should be an adverb ("seriously") because it modifies "damage." The clause "serious and possibly irreversibly" should end with a comma as it is separated off from the rest of the sentence.
D: Correct
E: "Serious and possibly irreversible" should be written as an adverb ("seriously and possibly irreversibly") and end with a comma.

D..serious is modifying damage like irreversible

As soon as you get to the word ‘seriously’ (an adverb) which is trying to qualify ‘damage’ (a noun), you know that you need to find an option that has the word ‘serious’ (an adjective) which is parallel with the adjective ‘irreversible’.

So let’s eliminate Options with ‘seriously’ and ‘irreversibly’– A, B and C.

Now it’s between Options D and E.

Let’s substitute (E) back into the question: Industrial pollution did damage, serious and possibly irreversible the bronze horses on the facade of the cathedral of St. Mark La Venica.

Parts of the sentence seem to be missing and it does not give the complete meaning.

Eliminate Option E.

Option D is the best option.

Hope this helps!

Hello from the GMAT Club VerbalBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.