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GMATPrep - tidal wave

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by GMATMadeEasy » Fri Nov 12, 2010 2:43 pm
Often incorrectly referred to as a tidal wave, a tsunami, a seismic sea wave that can reach up to 150 miles per hour in speed and 200 feet high, is caused by underwater earthquakes or volcanic eruptions.

(A) up to 150 miles per hour in speed and 200 feet high, is
(B) up to 150 miles per hour in speed and heights of up to 200 feet, is
(C) speeds of up to 150 miles per hour and 200 feet high, are
(D) speeds of up to 150 miles per hour and heights of up to 200 feet, is
(E) speeds of up to 150 miles per hour and as high as 200 feet, are


OA is D ;

Why B is incorrect ? I agree D has better parallelism, but does B has any other error ? I mean sequence of words "up to 150 miles per hour in speed " or "speeds of up to 150 miles per hour " is a consideration too ?
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Source: — Sentence Correction |

by Isaac@EconomistGMAT » Fri Nov 12, 2010 3:03 pm
In B the construction is not parallel.

This answer choice begins with the number and the describes that number (the speed); after the 'and' it begins with the descriptor (heights), followed by the number. The word 'and' is a good hint that there should be a parallel construction.

It is like saying: He has 100 toys, 50 books, and bicycles that number 30.
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by GMATMadeEasy » Fri Nov 12, 2010 4:08 pm
Thanks Issac .
(B) up to 150 miles per hour in speed and heights of up to 200 feet, is
If we re-write B as in A :

(A) up to 150 miles per hour in speed and 200 feet high, is

this should be fine no ?
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by frank1 » Fri Nov 12, 2010 5:40 pm
GMATMadeEasy wrote:
If we re-write B as in A :

(A) up to 150 miles per hour in speed and 200 feet high, is

this should be fine no ?
I think yes because
reach speeds of up to sounds wordy than upto (only)
i think correct parallel structure for B would be
up to 150 miles per hour in speed and up to 200 feet in height, is

thanks
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