BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

★★★★★5.0559 reviews
Vote for Target Test Prep, Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards 2026
NEWSWEEK READERS’ CHOICE 2026

BIG NEWS! Target Test Prep has been nominated, and they’d love your vote!

TTP has worked incredibly hard to build the best test prep experience possible, and winning Newsweek’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Award for Best Test Prep would mean a lot to them. If TTP has helped you, they’d be incredibly grateful for your vote. You can vote once each day through September 9.

Vote for TTP
GMATLiveTeach 7 seats left
Chris Peckover
NEXT LIVE COHORT

Oct 13 to Jan 7, 2027

with Chris Peckover

Schedule
Tue, Thu · 8:00 to 10:00 PM ET
Included
40 live hours + 6 months of GMAT OnDemand
  • Live instruction and real-time questions
  • Class recordings and assigned practice
View class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeach 5 seats left
Logan Thompson
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

with Logan Thompson

Schedule
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
Live EA class + 6 months of EA OnDemand
  • Expert-led weekly online sessions
  • EA Masterclass access between classes
View EA class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemand Start anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions
Start free 5-day trial
Read 559 reviewsTarget Test Prep

Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.

OG12: Ques No 24 [parallelism]

Expert replies
Post new topic Locked
Previous Topic Next Topic
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 121
Joined: Fri Mar 13, 2009 8:44 amFollowed by: 1 member
Thanked: 9 times
GMAT Score:610
by singh181 » Fri Jun 24, 2011 7:49 pm
In virtually all types of tissue in every animal species, dioxin induces the production of enzymes that are the organism's trying to metabolize, or render harmless. the chemical that is irritating it.

(A) trying to metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical that is irritating it
(B) trying that it metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritant
(C) attempt to try to metabolize, or render harmless, such a chemical irritant
(D) attempt to try and metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritating it
(E) attempt to metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritant

According to Manhattan Sentence correction strategy book we have a parallelism issue here. Can anyone help me in identifying that issue here.
Note: I am focusing on parallelism issue here, so please refrain from other issues.
Last edited by singh181 on Sat Jun 25, 2011 4:29 am, edited 1 time in total.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Source: — Sentence Correction |
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1325
Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2009 6:24 amFollowed by: 14 members
Thanked: 105 times

by vikram4689 » Fri Jun 24, 2011 9:27 pm
There is NO parallelism issue here. Correct answer relies on Gerund vs Noun usage.
Premise: If you like my post
Conclusion : Press the Thanks Button ;)
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 217
Joined: Tue May 31, 2011 9:42 pmFollowed by: 2 members
Thanked: 8 times

by garima99 » Fri Jun 24, 2011 10:37 pm
E would correct ,'attempt to try' is wrong .
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Legendary Member
Posts: 1574
Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2011 2:52 amFollowed by: 13 members
Thanked: 88 times

by aspirant2011 » Sat Jun 25, 2011 12:46 am
singh181 wrote:In virtually all types of tissue in every animal species, dioxin induces the production of enzymes that are the organism's trying to metabolize, or render harmless. the chemical that is irritating it.

(A) trying to metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical that is irritating it
(B) trying that it metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritant
(C) attempt to try to metabolize, or render harmless, such a chemical irritant
(D) attempt to try and metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritating it
(E) attempt to metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritant

According to Manhattan Sentence correction strategy book we have a parallelism issue here. Can anyone help me in identifying that issue here.
Note: I am focusing on parallelism issue here, so please refrain from other issues.
i feel the word trying in option A and B is not parallel with the rest of the sentence. This is the parallelism iasue with A and B and in C ,D&E attempt and render harmless are parallel.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 63
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2011 8:25 pm
Thanked: 3 times

by Calvin123 » Sat Jun 25, 2011 12:57 am
singh181 wrote:In virtually all types of tissue in every animal species, dioxin induces the production of enzymes that are the organism's trying to metabolize, or render harmless. the chemical that is irritating it.

(A) trying to metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical that is irritating it
Parallelism issue>> trying and render are not parallel.
(B) trying that it metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritant
Parallelism issue>> trying and render are not parallel. + Wordy >> trying that it
(C) attempt to try to metabolize, or render harmless, such a chemical irritant
Redundancy.
(D) attempt to try and metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritating it
Redundancy.
(E) attempt to metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritant
Bingo >> parallel and no redundancy.
IMO E
According to Manhattan Sentence correction strategy book we have a parallelism issue here. Can anyone help me in identifying that issue here.
Note: I am focusing on parallelism issue here, so please refrain from other issues.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1325
Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2009 6:24 amFollowed by: 14 members
Thanked: 105 times

by vikram4689 » Sat Jun 25, 2011 2:14 am
@All who see a ||ism issue. Can you please describe how you think ||ism is being tested here.
Premise: If you like my post
Conclusion : Press the Thanks Button ;)
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 201
Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2010 2:23 pmFollowed by: 1 member
Thanked: 7 times

by ov25 » Sat Jun 25, 2011 5:56 am
'trying to metabolize or (to) render harmless, the chemical irritant'
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Legendary Member
Posts: 1574
Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2011 2:52 amFollowed by: 13 members
Thanked: 88 times

by aspirant2011 » Sat Jun 25, 2011 7:27 am
Calvin123 wrote:
singh181 wrote:In virtually all types of tissue in every animal species, dioxin induces the production of enzymes that are the organism's trying to metabolize, or render harmless. the chemical that is irritating it.

(A) trying to metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical that is irritating it
Parallelism issue>> trying and render are not parallel.
(B) trying that it metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritant
Parallelism issue>> trying and render are not parallel. + Wordy >> trying that it
(C) attempt to try to metabolize, or render harmless, such a chemical irritant
Redundancy.
(D) attempt to try and metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritating it
Redundancy.
(E) attempt to metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritant
Bingo >> parallel and no redundancy.
IMO E
According to Manhattan Sentence correction strategy book we have a parallelism issue here. Can anyone help me in identifying that issue here.
Note: I am focusing on parallelism issue here, so please refrain from other issues.
option D is also wrong because it says attempt to try, try what???? it leaves things open and unclear........
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 3380
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2008 1:20 amFollowed by: 1535 members
Thanked: 2256 times
GMAT Score:800

by lunarpower » Wed Jun 29, 2011 1:31 am
singh181 wrote:In virtually all types of tissue in every animal species, dioxin induces the production of enzymes that are the organism's trying to metabolize, or render harmless. the chemical that is irritating it.

(A) trying to metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical that is irritating it
(B) trying that it metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritant
(C) attempt to try to metabolize, or render harmless, such a chemical irritant
(D) attempt to try and metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritating it
(E) attempt to metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritant

According to Manhattan Sentence correction strategy book we have a parallelism issue here. Can anyone help me in identifying that issue here.
Note: I am focusing on parallelism issue here, so please refrain from other issues.
there is parallelism in this problem, but it doesn't help to narrow the answer choices.
the parallel structures are "metabolize" and "render harmless"; these structures are written in parallel in all five of the answer choices.
Ron has been teaching various standardized tests for 20 years.

--

Pueden hacerle preguntas a Ron en castellano
Potete chiedere domande a Ron in italiano
On peut poser des questions à Ron en français
Voit esittää kysymyksiä Ron:lle myös suomeksi

--

Quand on se sent bien dans un vêtement, tout peut arriver. Un bon vêtement, c'est un passeport pour le bonheur.

Yves Saint-Laurent

--

Learn more about ron
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 42
Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2009 9:52 am
Location: San Jose, CA
Thanked: 2 times

by rveeraga » Sun Jul 03, 2011 9:23 pm
In virtually all types of tissue in every animal species, dioxin induces the production of enzymes that are the organism's trying to metabolize, or render harmless. the chemical that is irritating it.

(A) trying to metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical that is irritating it (noun, attempt, is preferred over gerund,trying. also, pronoun points to chemical itself)
(B) trying that it metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritant (subject and verb do not match)
(C) attempt to try to metabolize, or render harmless, such a chemical irritant (redundant words)
(D) attempt to try and metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritating it (redundant words)
(E) attempt to metabolize, or render harmless, the chemical irritant
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 96
Joined: Wed May 20, 2009 8:46 pm
Thanked: 1 times

by jonathan123456 » Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:57 pm
Yes, IMO E
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 43
Joined: Sat May 19, 2007 10:38 amFollowed by: 1 member
Thanked: 7 times
GMAT Score:690

by satish_iitg » Thu Aug 08, 2013 12:57 pm
Experts - I am confused by the presence of 'are'. How is the are - attempt the right answer ?
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 15539
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pmFollowed by: 1906 members
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 13060 times
GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Thu Aug 08, 2013 2:00 pm
satish_iitg wrote:Experts - I am confused by the presence of 'are'. How is the are - attempt the right answer ?
I received a PM asking me to comment.

In the construction X + form of to be + Y, X is the subject and Y is the COMPLEMENT.
A plural subject can have a singular complement:
The costumes are the best part of the show.
Here, the complement of costumes (plural) is part (singular).

The OA implies the following:
The enzymes are the organism's attempt to metabolize the irritant.
Here, the complement of enzymes (plural) is attempt (singular).

A body under attack produces various substances to defend itself.
In biology circles, it is quite common to deem these substances the body's attempt to defend itself.
Note that the GMAT does not expect us to possess this sort of specialized knowledge: in the original sentence, are is not underlined, so its usage is not being tested.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 3380
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2008 1:20 amFollowed by: 1535 members
Thanked: 2256 times
GMAT Score:800

by lunarpower » Fri Aug 09, 2013 12:53 am
satish_iitg wrote:Experts - I am confused by the presence of 'are'. How is the are - attempt the right answer ?
"attempt" is not the subject there -- "enzymes" is the subject -- so the bottom line is that there's no reason to expect "attempt" to agree with the verb.

this is not a grammar issue at all, actually -- it's just a matter of the context / meaning of the sentence.
in this case, the enzymes (taken together) constitute ONE "attempt", so it wouldn't be logical to use the plural of "attempt".
(as another example of the same thing, you'd say "these twelve basketball players are a team" (if they're all on the same team), or "Mimi and Timmy are a married couple". Etc.
Ron has been teaching various standardized tests for 20 years.

--

Pueden hacerle preguntas a Ron en castellano
Potete chiedere domande a Ron in italiano
On peut poser des questions à Ron en français
Voit esittää kysymyksiä Ron:lle myös suomeksi

--

Quand on se sent bien dans un vêtement, tout peut arriver. Un bon vêtement, c'est un passeport pour le bonheur.

Yves Saint-Laurent

--

Learn more about ron
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 193
Joined: Tue May 24, 2011 5:14 amFollowed by: 1 member
Thanked: 6 times

by iongmat » Fri Aug 09, 2013 10:14 am
lunarpower wrote: "attempt" is not the subject there -- "enzymes" is the subject -- so the bottom line is that there's no reason to expect "attempt" to agree with the verb.
I think the original poster is suggesting that logically it seems like the production is the attempt.

I am also having a tough time digesting that enzymes are attempt. I mean..enzymes and attempt do not seem to be logical comparisons; production and attempt do seem more logical.
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Post new topic Locked