Parallel Structure practice questions

Parallel Structure questions

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1. 1Parallel structureStandard

   The internship asks students to research a question, to draft a proposal, and _____ their findings. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?The internship asks students to research a question, to draft a proposal, and _____ their findings. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?

   • Apresentingpresenting
   • Bto presentto present
   • Cthey presentthey present
   • Dpresentpresent
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   Answer: to presentto present

   The series uses infinitives: "to research," "to draft," and "to present." Matching that form creates parallel structure.The series uses infinitives: "to research," "to draft," and "to present." Matching that form creates parallel structure.

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2. 2Parallel structureStandard

   The apprenticeship trains carpenters to read plans, to select timber, and _____ their own joints. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?The apprenticeship trains carpenters to read plans, to select timber, and _____ their own joints. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?

   • Ato cutto cut
   • Bfor cuttingfor cutting
   • Ccuttingcutting
   • Dthey cutthey cut
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   Answer: to cutto cut

   The first two items in the list use the infinitive form, so the third must match: to read, to select, to cut.The first two items in the list use the infinitive form, so the third must match: to read, to select, to cut.

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3. 3Parallel structureStandard

   The course covers reading maps, estimating distances, and _____ a compass. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?The course covers reading maps, estimating distances, and _____ a compass. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?

   • Ausingusing
   • Buse ofuse of
   • Chow to usehow to use
   • Dto useto use
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   Answer: usingusing

   The first two items are gerunds, so the third must be one too: reading, estimating, using.The first two items are gerunds, so the third must be one too: reading, estimating, using.

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4. 4Parallel structureStandard

   The program trains guides to identify birdsong, to read tide tables, and _____ visitors safely across the mudflats. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?The program trains guides to identify birdsong, to read tide tables, and _____ visitors safely across the mudflats. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?

   • Athey leadthey lead
   • Bleadingleading
   • Cto leadto lead
   • Dfor leadingfor leading
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   Answer: to leadto lead

   The first two items use the infinitive, so the third must match: to identify, to read, to lead.The first two items use the infinitive, so the third must match: to identify, to read, to lead.

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5. 5Parallel structureStandard

   The apprenticeship involves shadowing a technician, keeping a daily log, and _____ a final assessment. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?The apprenticeship involves shadowing a technician, keeping a daily log, and _____ a final assessment. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?

   • Ato sitto sit
   • Bfor sittingfor sitting
   • Cthey sitthey sit
   • Dsittingsitting
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   Answer: sittingsitting

   The first two items are gerunds, so the third must match: shadowing, keeping, sitting.The first two items are gerunds, so the third must match: shadowing, keeping, sitting.

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6. 6Parallel structureStandard

   The course teaches students to identify rock types, to read a geological map, and _____ a field notebook. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?The course teaches students to identify rock types, to read a geological map, and _____ a field notebook. Which choice completes the sentence so that it conforms to Standard English conventions?

   • Afor keepingfor keeping
   • Bthey keepthey keep
   • Ckeepingkeeping
   • Dto keepto keep
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   Answer: to keepto keep

   The first two items are infinitives, so the third must match: to identify, to read, to keep.The first two items are infinitives, so the third must match: to identify, to read, to keep.

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7. 7Parallel structureStandard

   Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The apprenticeship trains bookbinders to sew signatures, to pare leather, and ______Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The apprenticeship trains bookbinders to sew signatures, to pare leather, and ______

   • Agold tooling on spines.gold tooling on spines.
   • Bthey learn gold tooling.they learn gold tooling.
   • Cto tool spines in gold.to tool spines in gold.
   • Dspines are tooled in gold.spines are tooled in gold.
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   Answer: to tool spines in gold.to tool spines in gold.

   The first two items in the list are infinitives, so the third has to be one as well. A noun phrase, a new clause and a passive construction each break the pattern the list has already set.The first two items in the list are infinitives, so the third has to be one as well. A noun phrase, a new clause and a passive construction each break the pattern the list has already set.

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8. 8Parallel structureStandard

   Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?Good field notes record what was seen, when it was seen, and ______Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Good field notes record what was seen, when it was seen, and ______

   • Anoting where the observer stood.noting where the observer stood.
   • Bwhere the observer stood.where the observer stood.
   • Cthe observer stood somewhere.the observer stood somewhere.
   • Dto note the observer's position.to note the observer's position.
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   Answer: where the observer stood.where the observer stood.

   The first two items are clauses beginning with a question word, so the third has to match. A participle, an independent clause and an infinitive each break a pattern the sentence has already established twice.The first two items are clauses beginning with a question word, so the third has to match. A participle, an independent clause and an infinitive each break a pattern the sentence has already established twice.

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9. 9Parallel structureStandard

   Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The post calls for someone who can read a balance sheet, chair a meeting and ______Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The post calls for someone who can read a balance sheet, chair a meeting and ______

   • Awriting clearly.writing clearly.
   • Bclear writing.clear writing.
   • Cto write clearly.to write clearly.
   • Dwrite clearly.write clearly.
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   Answer: write clearly.write clearly.

   The list runs on from "can": read, chair, and write. Each item is a bare verb, so a participle, a noun phrase or an infinitive breaks the pattern the first two items set.The list runs on from "can": read, chair, and write. Each item is a bare verb, so a participle, a noun phrase or an infinitive breaks the pattern the first two items set.

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10. 10Parallel structureStandard

    Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The grant covers travel to the archive, accommodation while working there, and ______Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The grant covers travel to the archive, accommodation while working there, and ______

    • Ayou can photograph documents.you can photograph documents.
    • Bthe cost of photographing documents.the cost of photographing documents.
    • Cphotographing documents costs money.photographing documents costs money.
    • Dto photograph documents.to photograph documents.
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    Answer: the cost of photographing documents.the cost of photographing documents.

    The list is of things the grant covers, and the first two items are noun phrases. Only one choice supplies a third; the others switch to a clause or an infinitive halfway through.The list is of things the grant covers, and the first two items are noun phrases. Only one choice supplies a third; the others switch to a clause or an infinitive halfway through.

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11. 11Parallel structureStandard

    Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The course teaches students to identify a rock, to describe its formation and ______Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The course teaches students to identify a rock, to describe its formation and ______

    • Adating it.dating it.
    • Bto date it.to date it.
    • Cthe dating of it.the dating of it.
    • Dthey date it.they date it.
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    Answer: to date it.to date it.

    The first two items are infinitives, so the third must be one too. A gerund, a noun phrase or a clause each break a pattern the sentence has already set twice.The first two items are infinitives, so the third must be one too. A gerund, a noun phrase or a clause each break a pattern the sentence has already set twice.

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12. 12Parallel structureStandard

    Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?A good field guide shows the bird at rest, in flight and ______Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A good field guide shows the bird at rest, in flight and ______

    • Awhen it is calling.when it is calling.
    • Bin song.in song.
    • Cwhile calling.while calling.
    • Dit also sings.it also sings.
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    Answer: in song.in song.

    The first two items are prepositional phrases, so the third must be one as well. A clause or a participle breaks a pattern the sentence has already set twice.The first two items are prepositional phrases, so the third must be one as well. A clause or a participle breaks a pattern the sentence has already set twice.

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13. 13Parallel structureStandard

    Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?The fellowship covers the cost of travel, the price of materials and ______Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The fellowship covers the cost of travel, the price of materials and ______

    • Apaying for accommodation.paying for accommodation.
    • Bthe expense of accommodation.the expense of accommodation.
    • Caccommodation is paid for.accommodation is paid for.
    • Dto pay for accommodation.to pay for accommodation.
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    Answer: the expense of accommodation.the expense of accommodation.

    The first two items are noun phrases of the form "the [noun] of [noun]", so the third must match. A participle, a clause and an infinitive each break a pattern the sentence has set twice.The first two items are noun phrases of the form "the [noun] of [noun]", so the third must match. A participle, a clause and an infinitive each break a pattern the sentence has set twice.

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