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Identifying Sentence Errors

(A)In many respects(A) Anna Karenina and Emma Bovary are very similar characters, (B)but(B) Bovary (C)has(C) (D)the most spirit(D) and determination. (E)No error.(E)

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:
The error in this sentence is (D): the superlative form of the phrase "the most spirit" is not appropriate when only two characters are being compared. The appropriate form for such a comparison is "more spirit." The correct sentence reads: In many respects Anna Karenina and Emma Bovary are very similar characters, but Bovary has more spirit and determination.

(from the October 16, 1999 test)

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