ACT English 5.4 Sentence Structure

Because "don't" and "bother" get the ball rolling in the present tense at the start

of the sentence.

This means that we can immediately eliminate choice (A), because "avoided" is in the past

tense.

While we're at it, we might as well go ahead and eliminate (B) for the same reason.

"Considered" is in the past tense as well.

Just like that, boom. Down to a 50/50 shot. (C) is a bit harder to get rid of than (A)

and (B).

Both "avoid" and "considering" are in the present tense. However, the "ing" ending of

"considering" places it in the present progressive tense.

"Considering" sticks out like a sore thumb, because none of the other present tense verbs

are progressive.

It's kinda like somebody who is super left-wing accidentally showing up at a Tea Party rally.

Anyway, jamming one present progressive verb in the middle of a bunch of simple present

tense verbs upsets the parallel construction of the sentence.

So (C) is out of the running. Choice (D) is correct because both "consider"

and "avoid" are in the simple present tense. The verb tense is consistent and the construction

is parallel.

It's okay, this question is over, you can get down from the chair now.