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Parallel Structure

Total questions: 25

Worksheet time: 21mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction. 
a)
Phuong Tran has wit, charm, and she has an extremely pleasant personality.
b)

Phuong Tran has wit, charm, and personality.

2.

Which example shows correct parallel structure?

a)

Recommended exercise includes to run, to swim, and cycling.

b)

Recommended exercise includes running, swimming, and cycling.

c)

Recommended exercise includes running, swimming, and to cycle.

d)

Recommended exercise includes running, to swim, and cycling.

3.

Replace the underlined portion of the sentence with a choice that creates a parallel structure.


There are two ways to get a promotion: working hard or make friends in high places.

a)

to working hard

b)

work hard

c)

no change

d)

worked hard

4.

Replace the underlined portion of the sentence with a choice that creates a parallel structure.


Learning a new language as an adult is more difficult than to learn one as a child.

a)

learning

b)

to learning

c)

learned

d)

no change

5.

We looked everywhere for the car keys--under the sofa cushions, _______, and on the counters and tabletops. All along, Andrew had them in the front pocket of his jeans!

a)

our search included the trash can

b)

searching for them in the trash can

c)

in the trash can

d)

we searched for them in the trash can

6.

Complete each question by choosing the expression which makes the sentence parallel.


*Volcanoes have inspired both fascination and ________.

a)

people feared them throughout history

b)

fear in people throughout history

7.

Complete each question by choosing the expression which makes the sentence parallel.


*This fear is caused partially by our lack of understanding of the causes of volcanoes and___________.

a)

partially by our own inability to control them

b)

partially because we are unable to control them

8.

Which of the following sentences has correct parallel structure?

a)

Sleeping, eating, and teach are my favorite things.

b)

Sleep, food, and to teach are my favorite things.

c)

I like to sleep, eating, and teach.

d)

Sleeping, eating, and teaching are my favorite things.

9.

I have traveled by bus, by train, and by subway, but never by boat.

a)

PARALLEL

b)

NOT PARALLEL

10.

The advertisement claims that this toothpaste kills more germs and prevents more cavities than any other toothpaste.

a)

PARALLEL

b)

NOT PARALLEL

11.

My grandfather's favorite pastime is to eat in trendy restaurants and visiting art galleries.

a)

PARALLEL

b)

NOT PARALLEL

12.

Joan decided to paint her office, to add some new curtains, and that the rugs needs dry cleaning.

a)

PARALLEL

b)

NOT PARALLEL

13.
President Snow hopes to learn several languages and teach them to his stuffed animals.
a)
PARALLEL
b)
NOT PARALLEL
14.
If Deontre's mom ran the cafeteria, we'd eat scrumptious calzones, steaming soups, and have cheesy pizza for lunch every day.
a)
PARALLEL
b)
NOT PARALLEL
15.

Not only did Hank despise the way June chewed with her mouth open, _________ finding her wet towels all over the bathroom floor.

a)

but also disliked

b)

but also disliking

c)

but he also disliked

16.

To protect her delicate hands, Fran will not rake the yard, do the dishes, or __________.

a)

refuses to scrub the bathtub

b)

won't scrub the bathtub

c)

scrub the bathtub

17.

After Amanda cashes her paycheck, the money goes to her savings account, cappuccino fund, and __________.

a)

paying her credit card bill

b)

toward her credit card balance

c)

credit card balance

18.

In preparation for her run, Alicia __________, applied sunscreen, and increased the volume on her iPod.

a)

tightened her shoelaces

b)

was tightening her shoelaces

c)

did tighten her shoelaces

19.

Bonkers, our ninety pound golden retriever, chews on furniture, __________, and snots up the car windows—inconveniences we didn't anticipate when we adopted him.

a)

would drag us around the neighborhood during walks

b)

he drags us around the neighborhood during walks

c)

drags us around the neighborhood during walks

20.

Belinda saw very little of the horror movie, for she shut her eyes __________, when she heard the monster's footsteps in the dead leaves, and when characters started screaming.

a)

when the violins began to play

b)

while listening to the violins play

c)

during the violin music

21.

Carlos not only missed his one-year anniversary with Adrianna __________.

a)

but he also forgot his mother's birthday

b)

but also forgot his mother's birthday

c)

but also forgetting his mother's birthday

22.

When Noodle the poodle realized that the leash meant a bath, not a walk to the park, he growled, pulled, and __________.

a)

was leaping like a fish on a line

b)

he was leaping like a fish on a line

c)

leaped like a fish on a line

23.

Bathing Noodle, our poodle, requires four arms to hold him in the tub, towels to mop up the water, and __________.

a)

raincoats which will keep us dry

b)

raincoats to keep us dry

c)

raincoats as protection against the oncoming deluge

24.
.  Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction. 
a)
Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a caring mentor, and a wise friend.

b)
Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a caring mentor, and friend.
25.

Getting something is not always as easy as _________.

a)

wanting it

b)

when you want it

c)

to want it

d)

you want it