Home

Sentence Style

Parallel Structure

Parallel Structure

This quiz will provide practice in balancing sentence elements and in using correlatives.

This activity contains 25 questions.

	Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel structure.   Marcus vowed that during his vacation, he would no nothing but get some sleep, fishing, and maybe seeing a movie. Marcus vowed that during his vacation, he would do nothing but sleeping, fishing, and maybe see a movie. Marcus vowed that during his vacation, he would do nothing but sleep, fish, and maybe see a movie.

	Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel structure.   Travis is neither a good singer nor a good actor. Travis is not a good singer, and he can't act either. Travis can't sing well, and neither can he act.

	Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel structure.   The Silver Saloon not only serves great steaks, but they are also reasonably priced. The Silver Saloon not only serves great steaks, but they are reasonably priced, too. The Silver Saloon not only serves great steaks, but they are reasonably priced.

	Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel structure.   Kim practices yoga every day for relaxation and for flexibility. Kim practices yoga every day because it's relaxing and for flexibility. Kim practices yoga every day for the relaxation and because it makes her more flexible.

	Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel structure.   Bob's duties include answering the phone, the taking of delivery orders and the occasional delivery truck driving. Bob's duties include answering the phone, taking delivery orders, and occasionally driving the delivery truck. Bob's duties include answering the phone, taking delivery orders, and occasionally he drives the delivery truck.

	Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel structure.   The dinner speaker's joke wasn't amusing, nor was it tasteful. The dinner speaker's joke was not amusing, nor tasteful. The dinner speaker's joke was neither amusing nor tasteful.

	Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel structure.   We were told to remain in the customs office and to have our identification ready. We were told to remain in the customs office and that we should have our identification ready. We were told to remain in the customs office and have our identification ready.

	Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel structure.   Dwight prefers the sports model not only because of the way it handles the road but also because it looks good. Dwight prefers the sports model not only because it handles the road well, but because of the way it looks. Dwight prefers the sports model not only because of the way it handles the road but also because of the way it looks.

	Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel structure.   In Clint's apartment, no one is allowed to smoke, to wear shoes, or to eat in the living room. In Clint's apartment, no one is allowed to smoke, wear shoes, or be eating in the living room. In Clint's apartment, no one is allowed to smoke, wear shoes, or to eat in the living room.

	Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel structure.   At the staff meeting, the director announced that we would be getting a raise and that we would also be getting a dental plan. At the staff meeting, the director announced that we would be getting a raise and we would also get a dental plan. At the staff meeting, the director announced that we would get a raise, and would also be getting a dental plan.

	Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel structure.   Natalia's parents told her that she must agree to either attend college or be working in the family business. Natalia's parents told her that she must agree either to attend college, or becoming involved in the family business. Natalia's parents told her that she must agree to either attend college or to work in the family business.

	Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel structure.   In Italy, Amy stayed in hotels that were modern, comfortable, and they were quite expensive. In Italy, Amy stayed in hotels that were modern, comfortable, and expensive. In Italy, Amy stayed in hotels that were of a modern nature, had comfortable furnishings, and quite expensive.

	Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel structure.   The Amish quilt was of a bright color, with small stitches that were neat and evenly spaced. The Amish quilt was brightly colored, and the stitches were small, neat, and they were spaced evenly. The Amish quilt was brightly colored, and the stitches were small, neat, and evenly spaced.

	Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel structure.   Diane said that she didn't have the time, nor was she interested in learning to fish. Diane said that she had neither the time, nor was she interested in learning to fish. Diane said that she had neither the time nor the interest in learning to fish.

	Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel structure.   Geoff is interested in getting his diploma and not in getting an education. Geoff is interested in getting his diploma, and not interested in an education. Geoff is interested in getting his diploma, and not an education.

	Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel structure.   In her cooking class, Erin learned the blending of exotic splices, substitution of ingredients, and setting an attractive table. In her cooking class, Erin learned to blend exotic spices, the substitution of ingredients, and to set an attractive table. In her cooking class, Erin learned to blend exotic spices, to substitute ingredients, and to set an attractive table.

	Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel structure.   We all admired Willard because he has a sense of humor and because he listens well. We all admired Willard because of his sense of humor and because he listens well. We all admired Willard for his sense of humor, and because he listens well.

	Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel structure.   The technical manual for the new computer is complex, disorganized, and confusing to all of us. The technical manual for the new computer is complex, disorganized, and confusing. The technical manual for the new computer is complex, not very well organized, and confusing.

	Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel structure.   The health club offers something for everybody: exercise equipment, aerobics classes, and a swimming pool. The health club offers something for everybody: exercise equipment, aerobics classes, and there is a swimming pool. The health club offers something for everybody: exercise equipment, instructors to teach classes in aerobics, and a swimming pool.

	Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel structure.   The workshop wasn't interesting, nor useful. The workshop was neither of interest, nor useful. The workshop was neither interesting nor useful.

	Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel structure.   At the mall, we need to return the defective toaster, and a birthday present must be found for Uncle Ed. At the mall, we must return the defective toaster and to find a birthday present for Uncle Ed. At the mall, we must return the defective toaster and find a birthday present for Uncle Ed.

	Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel structure.   During the drive along the scenic highway, we were amazed by the snowcapped mountains that were on one side and the beautiful lakes on the other. During the drive along the scenic highway, we were amazed by the snowcapped mountains on one side, and on the other side were beautiful lakes. During the drive along the scenic highway, we were amazed by the snowcapped mountains on one side and the beautiful lakes on the other.

	Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel structure.   There's plenty of work to do on the farm today: the fences need mending, there are cows to feed, and picking vegetables from the garden. There's plenty of work to do on the farm today: mend fences, feed the cows, and the vegetables need to be picked from the garden. There's plenty of work to do on the farm today: mending fences, feeding cows, and picking vegetables from the garden.

	Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel structure.   Elisha's desserts are not only fattening, but they're high in cholesterol. Elisha's desserts are not only fattening; they're high in cholesterol. Elisha's desserts are not only fattening, but they're also high in cholesterol.

	Choose the sentence that demonstrates parallel structure.   Lorenzo's painting has subtle color contrasts, intriguing textures, and the balance is pleasing. Lorenzo's painting has subtle color contrasts, the textures are intriguing, and a pleasing balance. Lorenzo's painting has subtle color contrasts, intriguing textures, and a pleasing balance.

Copyright © 1995 - 2010 Pearson Education . All rights reserved. Pearson Prentice Hall is an imprint of Pearson . Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Permissions