CC Parallel Structure

Ironing a clean shirt, __________, and buying a pack of gum for fresh breath were the tasks that Aaron completed before the first day of spring semester.

• the printout of a course schedule

• printing a course schedule

• making sure that he had printed a course schedule

Stuart wiggled his foot, drummed the desk with his pencil, and __________, but he could not burn off the caffeine-induced energy from an extra-large cup of coffee.

• chewed a mouthful of gum

• was chewing a mouthful of gum

• his jaw worked a mouthful of gum

The blonde who sucked the ends of her hair, the athlete who blinked nervously, and __________ would not share their algebra homework with Jake.

• the rebel slouching in his seat

• the slouching rebel

• the rebel who slouched in his seat

__________, no recognition of her skills, and a dislike for the polyester uniform made Kelsey quit the ping-pong team.

• Because she was frustrated with the coach

• Frustration with the coach

• Having become frustrated with the coach

The hike through the canyon exhausted Kim. The steep incline made her thigh muscles throb, __________, and the relentless sun burned her skin.

• the heavy pack caused her shoulders to ache

• aching shoulders from the heavy pack

• shoulders that ached from the heavy pack

Instead of finishing her chemistry homework, Terry wanted to spend her birthday money at the mall, __________, and eat pizza in the food court.

• see a movie at the theater

• she planned to see a movie at the theater

• planning to see a movie at the theater

Because Alex is always flirting with Becky, Bridgette will neither lend him an eraser nor __________.

• will she let him peek at her score sheet

• let him peek at her score sheet

• agreeing to let him peek at her score sheet

Mrs. Martin, the hiring manager, explained that she would consider an interview if Lester remembered to wear shoes, comb the crumbs out of his beard, and __________.

• replace the shark-tooth necklace with a tie

• he needed a tie, not a shark-tooth necklace

• she wanted to see a tie, not a shark-tooth necklace, around his throat

After no rabbit popped out of the hat, Lori decided that she had neither the patience nor __________ to tolerate another of Darren's poorly performed magic tricks.

• did she have the good humor

• the ability to muster the good humor

• the good humor

Elizabeth wanted to enjoy the plate of nachos that she and Jared shared, but she worried about black beans sticking to her teeth, cheese dripping from her chin, and __________.

• the possibility that chip crumbs might catapult from her mouth

• chip crumbs catapulting from her mouth

• whether or not chip crumbs would catapult from her mouth