What about the fifth choice? Topics should maintain official pattern
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I guess the fifth choice is wrong because it changes the meaning a little, or doesnt bring out the full meaning- author is emphasisizing on how obviously illegal the decision was- this is am important facet (as it might provide author a stronger criticism in the context, and not leave scope for defense of the corporation saying that they were not aware of the illegality of the action). Choice E by removing the word illegal gets elimminated.

The corporation's decision to deceive the public should be described in same format morally reprehensible, financially costly, and obviously illegal.
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Is the answer B. Maintains parallelism and meaning.

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Yes the answer is B as it maintains parallelism and meaning.

Answer is B. parallelism and meaning is correct.
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How does one choose between options B and E?

Hello BobFrank,

We hope this finds you well.

Having gone through the question and your query, we believe we can resolve your doubt.

Option E alters the meaning of the sentence, as it omits the adverb "obviously". The intended meaning also includes the fact that it was obvious that the company's decision was illegal.

We hope this helps.
All the best!
Experts' Global Team
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There is no way to choose between (B) and (B) in GMAT terms. Both the (B) version and the (E) version are grammatically correct and effectively convey meanings that make sense. So, according to the standards that make a choice correct in GMAT SC, both (B) and (E) are correct.

So, the only way to choose between (B) and (E) is to consider what this question writer probably considers correct, and there are two clues indicating what the question writer considers correct.

Since most versions use the adverb "obviously," but the (E) version does not, the question writer probably considers (B) the correct answer.

Also, it's a good bet that the question writer believes that "morally reprehensible, financially costly, and obviously illegal" is more correctly parallel than "morally reprehensible, financially costly, and illegal." While that belief is false, if we want to get this question "correct," we can bet on choice (B).
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Agree with the above. Though modifiers don't HAVE to be included in parallel lists of non-modifiers, it is sometimes preferred.

Also, meaning is determined from the WHOLE QUESTION (not the sentence 'as written,' necessarily--sometimes that meaning is wrong! You use the entirety and your human understanding to 'get the point'), and it does seem the author wants the illegality to be 'obvious.'
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Thank you!



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Thanks a lot ExpertsGlobal5 & MartyTargetTestPrep