SAT writing help

Test Preparation
1

<p>Hi guys,</p>

<p>I am here having some problem with the answers to the following sentence-error questions. Would you guys help me out on this? Just explain. :)</p>

<p>
[quote]
A large predatory insect (A), the elongated body of a dragonfly can often reach (B) as many as (C) five inches in length (D). No error (E).

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Why is (A) correct?</p>

<p>
[quote]
People have played (A) musical instruments since prehistoric times, picking up shells (B), bones, and sticks and using them (C) to produce basic rhythms (D). No error (E).

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Why is (B) correct?</p>

2

<p>Number two; parallelism: played, pick(ing), and… Should be picked, correct? I don’t know… :D</p>

3

<p>For the first one it is a misplaced modifier. The body is described as the insect. For the second one, I think it’s wrong because picking up shells is describing prehistoric times, which it wouldn’t be. It should be places at the beginning of the sentence to modify people.</p>

4

<p>Thank you guys for helping me out on this!! esp. 2400Man! :D</p>