[Grammar] TOEFL question

This is a "Choose the wrong answer" question from a sample TOEFL test. "Production of chlorine A. without the attendant sodium hydroxide is attained by the electrolysis B. of fused chlorides such as lithium or magnesium and C. several different chemical processes such as D. the reaction of sodium chloride and nitric acid." According to the answer key, "C" is the wrong one. But I can't see anything wrong with all the underlined phrases. I need help from a teacher. Thanks in advance.

The only thing I can see is that C refers to several different chemical processes but D mentions only one.

Not a Scientist

I can't see a mistake there.

5jj said:

Not a Scientist

I can't see a mistake there.

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Nor can I.

Nor can I. The only potential amendment I could make would be to add the word "by" at the beginning of section B. It is perfectly acceptable without "by" though. Unless there is an error in the chemical side of this (which would be entirely unfair in an English test), then I can't see an error.

Just to make sure, I have removed the letters A, B, C and D and the formatting. This is the sentence it leaves:

Production of chlorine without the attendant sodium hydroxide is attained by the electrolysis of fused chlorides such as lithium or magnesium and several different chemical processes such as the reaction of sodium chloride and nitric acid.

Is it an official test? Official tests are tested repeatedly for errors, so mistakes are very rare indeed, but where people write tests similar to the official ones, mistakes can occur.

[URL="https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/members/261573.html"]
Do you mean a “by” may be needed at the beginning of “C” or “B”?


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wynnmyintuu said:

Do you mean a “by” may be needed at the beginning of “C” or “B”?

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As I said in post #5, the only suggestion I could make would be to add the word "by" at the beginning of section B, but it's not obligatory.

Did you mean C? There is already a "by" before B in the body of A.

Sorry, yes, I meant at the beginning of C. Both times!