Sentence Correction

In order to evenly and effectively paint a rough surface, it is necessary to first sand it and apply primer before applying the paint.

a)to first sand it and apply primer before applying the paint.
b)to sand it and prime it and paint it.
c)to first sand it, then prime it, then paint it.
d)to first sand the surface and apply primer before you apply paint to the surface.
e)to sand the surface, apply primer to the surface and then paint it.

OA A

What is wrong with option (c) and why is (a) the correct answer?

Sakshi, an "and" is missing in C. It should have been:

to first sand it, then prime it, and then paint it.

Think about it; would you say:

i) Sakshi would first attempt GMATPrep, then register for GMAT, then appear in GMAT.

or

ii) Sakshi would first attempt GMATPrep, then register for GMAT, and then appear in GMAT.

Hopefully you would say ii).

Actually there is a close call here between a) and e).

"it" in A,B,C could refer to Paint or the Surface. I think it should be between D & E. Not convinced with D & E though.

D - Wordy...Otherwise it looks right.
E - Not Parallel....To Sand, Apply and then paint?

D looks better.