[問題]GWD27-14

[achiachia]

GWD27-Q14:
The quality of early pieces of blown glass excavated in Italy and Western Europe by far surpass those of pieces from the eastern Mediterranean, when regarded not only in terms of the variety of shapes represented, but also in terms of decorative techniques and functionality.

A) by far surpass those of pieces from the eastern Mediterranean, when regarded not only in terms of

B) surpasses by far those from the eastern Mediterranean, with regard not only to

C) far surpass that of pieces from the eastern Mediterranean, not only regarding

D) far surpasses that of the eastern Mediterranean, with regard to not only

E) far surpasses that of pieces from the eastern Mediterranean, not only with regard to

請教各位大大～
...not only..., but also...要平衡對稱，所以選A）
不過答案是 E），該怎麼解釋E）呢？
謝謝

[Penny Lee]

The subject of this question is the quality, so singular verb form is required. So, get rid of A and C.

By far is a phrase. But here we need far an adverb to modify a verb (surpass). with regard to and in terms of are both phrases, therefore, they are parallel in phrases.