Question

Doctors generally agree that such factors as cigarette smoking, eating rich foods high in fats, and alcohol consumption not only do damage by themselves but also aggravate genetic predispositions toward certain diseases.

• A. Not only do damage by themselves but also aggravate
• B. Do damage by themselves but also are aggravating to
• C. Are damaging by themselves but also are aggravating
• D. Not only do damage by themselves, they are also aggravating to
• E. Are doing damage by themselves, and they are also aggravating

Answer 1

The correct option is A Not only do damage by themselves but also aggravate

The sentence is correct as is. It has no errors as such. The elements and sequence of action listed in the sentence- certain elements (cigarette, rich food, alcohol)do damage by themselves AND 'aggravate genetic predispositions toward certain diseases'- confirm to a parallel structure. 'do damage' and 'aggravate' are both verbs and thus parallel to each other. Therefore, option A is the answer. The other choices don't fit the context.