Parallel Structure Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. A student lists three career goals. Which sentence keeps all three goals in the same form?
Her goal is to learn SQL, to build a portfolio, and to apply for analyst roles.
Her goal is learning SQL, to build a portfolio, and applying for analyst roles.
Her goal is SQL knowledge, building a portfolio, and to apply for analyst roles.
Her goal is to learn SQL, portfolio development, and applying for analyst roles.
2. Choose the word that best completes the sentence in parallel form: “The trail was narrow, steep, and ___.”
covered with rocks
rockiness
rockily
rocky
3. Which sentence correctly uses the paired construction “not only…but also”?
The new policy will not only reduce delays but also improve accuracy.
The new policy will reduce not only delays but also improve accuracy.
The new policy not only will reduce delays but also accuracy will improve.
The new policy is not only reducing delays but also accuracy.
4. An editor wants three adjectives after the linking verb. Which sentence is parallel?
Before submitting, check that each source is credible, it is current, and relevance.
Before submitting, check that each source is credible, current, and relevant.
Before submitting, check that each source has credibility, is current, and relevant.
Before submitting, check that each source is credibly, currently, and relevance.
5. Which sentence contains an error in parallel structure?
The internship taught Luis to analyze data, write reports, and present findings.
Luis learned data analysis, report writing, and presentation skills.
The internship taught Luis how to analyze data, writing reports, and to present findings.
During the internship, Luis analyzed data, wrote reports, and presented findings.
6. Which revision correctly compares two activities after the verb “prefers”?
Jon prefers article editing to advertisements.
Jon prefers to edit articles than writing advertisements.
Jon prefers editing articles rather than to write advertisements.
Jon prefers editing articles to writing advertisements.
7. A team is drafting its annual goals. Which sentence presents the goals in parallel form?
The campaign aims to reduce waste, lower costs, and improve safety.
The campaign aims at reducing waste, lower costs, and improving safety.
The campaign aims to reduce waste, lowering costs, and improve safety.
The campaign aims toward less waste, lowering costs, and safety improvements.
8. Which version makes the comparison parallel?
Checking facts carefully is as important as clear writing.
Writing clearly is as important as checking facts carefully.
Clear writing is as important as you check facts carefully.
To write clearly is as important as careful fact-checking.
9. Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly?
Maya enjoys to hike, swimming, and bike rides.
Maya enjoys hiking, to swim, and cycling.
Maya enjoys hiking, swimming, and cycling.
Maya enjoys hikes, swimming, and to cycle.
10. Which sentence correctly balances two complete clauses in an “either/or” construction?
Either the manager will approve the request, or the director will review it.
The manager either will approve the request, or the director’s review.
Either approval will come from the manager, or the director will review it.
Either the manager will approve the request, or reviewing it will be done by the director.
11. Which sentence correctly balances the elements joined by “both” and “and”?
The workshop was both practical and offered engaging activities.
The workshop was both practical and engaging.
The workshop both provided practical advice and was engaging.
The workshop included both practical advice and was engaging.
12. Which description uses three parallel verb phrases?
A good mentor listens carefully, honest feedback is offered, and encourages growth.
A good mentor is a careful listener, offers honest feedback, and encouragement is provided.
A good mentor listens carefully, offering honest feedback, and will encourage growth.
A good mentor listens carefully, offers honest feedback, and encourages growth.
13. A supervisor is revising a job description. Which sentence maintains a consistent grammatical pattern?
The role requires employees to greet visitors, answering phones, and file organization.
The role requires employees to greet visitors, phone calls, and organizing files.
The role requires employees to greet visitors, answer phones, and organize files.
The role requires greeting visitors, to answer phones, and organized files.
14. Which sentence makes a logical and structurally parallel comparison?
The salary in Boston is higher than Dayton.
The salary in Boston is higher than the salary in Dayton.
Boston’s salary is higher compared with workers in Dayton.
In Boston, the salary is higher than Dayton workers.
15. Which revision best corrects this sentence: “The coach asked us to warm up slowly, breathe steadily, and finishing strongly”?
The coach asked us to warm up slowly, breathing steadily, and to finish strongly.
The coach asked us to warm up slowly, steady breathing, and finish strongly.
The coach asked us for a slow warm-up, to breathe steadily, and a strong finish.
The coach asked us to warm up slowly, to breathe steadily, and to finish strongly.
16. Tenants are considering two alternatives. Which sentence expresses those alternatives in parallel form?
The tenants debated whether renewing the lease or they should move to a smaller office.
The tenants debated whether the lease renewal or to move to a smaller office.
The tenants debated whether to renew the lease or to move to a smaller office.
The tenants debated whether renewing the lease or a move to a smaller office.