gmattesttaker2 wrote:Hello,

Eyestrain, in addition to reading small print and staring at a computer screen, can result from a faulty or obsolete corrective lens prescription.

A) Eyestrain, in addition to reading small print or staring at a computer screen, can result from
B) Eyestrain can result from reading small print, from staring at a computer screen, or from using
C) Eyestrain can result not only from reading small print and staring at a computer screen, but also
D) Eyestrain can result from reading small print, staring at a computer screen, as well as
E) Eyestrain may result in reading small print, staring at a computer screen, or in the use of

This question is all about parallelism.
A) Eyestrain, in addition to reading small print or staring at a computer screen, can result from
This sentence adds reading and staring to eyestrain. The goal here is to express the idea that reading and staring causes eyestrain.

B) Eyestrain can result from reading small print, from staring at a computer screen, or from using
Perfect parallelism. Eyestrain can result from X, from Y or from Z.

C) Eyestrain can result not only from reading small print and staring at a computer screen, but also
Faulty parallelism with the correlative "not only . . . but also."
Eyestrain can result not only from reading and staring but also . . .
After "but also" we need "from" to maintain parallelism. ALSO, we need another "ing" participle (e.g., "using" a faulty or obsolete corrective lens prescription.)

D) Eyestrain can result from reading small print, staring at a computer screen, as well as
After "as well as" we need "from" to maintain parallelism. ALSO, we need another "ing" participle (e.g., "using" a faulty or obsolete corrective lens prescription.)

E) Eyestrain may result in reading small print, staring at a computer screen, or in the use of
Idiom is "result from"
Plus there are other parallelism issues.

The best answer is B

Cheers,
Brent

Hi gmattesttaker2,

Brent has properly explained the incorrect grammar in the wrong answers and the correct grammar in the right answer, so I'll just offer a note on this type of question.

This is an example of a "3 item list", and it's a fairly standard SC pattern that is based on parallelism (you'll likely see one of these on the real GMAT, so it's worth knowing). When you spot a 3 item list, be sure that each item matches the "format" of the others. In this example we have the "format":

'from *verb*ing *noun*'

Notice how each item in the correct answer follows the same format? That's why it's the correct answer.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Hi Sri,

I'm glad that you find it helpful. Since the GMAT is a standardized and predictable test, a good deal of what you have to work on is familiarizing yourself with the material that WILL show up on Test Day - what the rules are, how to spot the clues that will help you choose the easiest way to approach a question, which questions don't matter, etc. The EMPOWERgmat course is built around that level of precise familiarity and tactics. If you found this specific grammar tip helpful, then you should check out the entire course.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich