DA2 Review

What is parallel structure?

• Parallel structure is writing at least 2 sentences.

• Parallel structure is using matching nouns, verbs, adjectives, or adverbs when you pitchfork a sentence.

• Parallel structure is making sure that you have 2 lines that go on forever but never intersect.

Which sentence shows parallel structure?

• I was thinking about math class, and Bob thought about it too.

• I was thinking about math class, and Bob was worrying about it too.

Answer explanation

was thinking and was worrying are both past tense verbs ending in -ing

Which sentence shows parallel structure?

• Ellen likes to hike, attend rodeos, and take naps.

• Ellen likes hiking, the rodeo, and to take naps.

Answer explanation

hike, attend, and take are all present tense verbs

Make this sentence parallel:

We searched in the pantry, on top of the refrigerator, and ________, but we didn’t find the cereal.

• under the table

• the bedroom

• Johnny looked under the table

Answer explanation

in the pantry, on top of the refrigerator, and under the table are all prep phrases

Make this sentence parallel:

When we left the house, Daisy, my dog, had to decide whether to shred the toilet paper or _______.

• she was barking at the top of her lungs

• barking at the top of her lungs

• bark at the top of her lungs

Answer explanation

shred and bark are both present tense verbs

What is extraneous information?

• Extraneous information is extra information in a sentence or paragraph that doesn’t connect.

• Extraneous information is related information in a sentence or paragraph that makes the paragraph better.

Read the following sentences. Which sentence would be considered extraneous?

Bob was thinking about math class. He was wondering if the test would be hard. Writing class was hard today too. He was wondering if fractions would be on the test.

• Bob was thinking about math class.

• He was wondering if the test would be hard.

• Writing class was hard today too.

• He was wondering if fractions would be on the test.

Answer explanation

The passage is about math class, so you don’t need a sentence about writing class.

1. Read the following sentences. Which sentence is extraneous?

With more than 50 feature films, Alfred Hitchcock remains one of the most popular directors of all time. Hitchcock's films draw heavily on both fear and fantasy. He began directing in the United Kingdom. They often portray innocent people caught up in circumstances beyond their understanding.

• With more than 50 feature films, Alfred Hitchcock remains one of the most popular directors of all time.

• Hitchcock's films draw heavily on both fear and fantasy.

• He began directing in the United Kingdom.

• They often portray innocent people caught up in circumstances beyond their understanding.

Answer explanation

The passage is about Hitchcock’s films - not about his directing career.

1. Read the following sentences. Which sentence is extraneous?

Garfield is a comic strip featuring the cat Garfield, the pet dog Odie, and their socially inept owner Jon Arbuckle. The main character is Garfield, who is a lazy, overweight, orange cat. He considers himself to be more intelligent than humans or dogs. He was named Garfield after his grandfather. He hates Mondays and loves lasagna apparently.

• The main character is Garfield, who is a lazy, overweight, orange cat.

• He considers himself to be more intelligent than humans or dogs.

• He was named Garfield after his grandfather.

• He hates Mondays and loves lasagna apparently.

Answer explanation

The passage is describing Garfield. It is not about who he was named after.

1. Read the following sentences. Which sentence is extraneous?

Like many insects, ants have six legs. An ant colony consists of the queen ant, workers, soldiers and males.  They are very strong so they can run very quickly. If a man could run as fast for his size as an ant can, he could run as fast as a racehorse. Although many ants are tiny and only three millimeters long they can lift 20 times their own body weight.

• An ant colony consists of the queen ant, workers, soldiers and males.

• They are very strong so they can run very quickly.

• If a man could run as fast for his size as an ant can, he could run as fast as a racehorse.

• Although many ants are tiny and only three millimeters long they can lift 20 times their own body weight.

Answer explanation

The passage is about qualities of ants - not comparing a man and an ant.