Question

Some people say that the answer to crime is to build more prisons, but more sensitive observers argue that instead we should address the sources of crime through reduced poverty, a cut off supply of illicit drugs, and by focusing on keeping kids in school.

• A. through reduced poverty, a cut off supply of illicit drugs, and by focusing on keeping kids in school
• B. by the reduction of poverty, cutting off the supply of illicit drugs, and to focus on keeping kids in school
• C. by reducing poverty, cutting off the supply of illicit drugs, and focusing on keeping kids in school
• D. by means of reducing poverty, cutting off the supply of illicit drugs, and through focusing on keeping kids in school
• E. to reduce poverty, cut off the supply of illicit drugs, and to focus on keeping kids in school

Hint:

When listing multiple items, ensure they all share the same grammatical structure for clarity and consistency.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Parallel structure.
The three items in the list must follow the same grammatical structure. "Reducing," "cutting off," and "focusing" all use the gerund form to maintain consistency.
Step 2: Review the options.
- (A) "Cut off" should be "cutting off" to maintain parallelism.
- (B) "to focus on" is incorrect because it disrupts the parallel structure.
- (C) Correct structure; all items in the list use the gerund form.
- (D) "By means of" and "through focusing" disrupt the parallelism.
- (E) "To reduce" and "to focus" do not match the parallel structure.
Conclusion:
The correct answer is (C), which maintains the parallel structure needed for clarity.