Parallel Structure: Quiz 1
Instructions: For each sentence, please determine whether its use of parallel structure is correct or not.
Q.1) My aunt was a star athlete on land and water. a. Correct b. Faulty Parallelism
Q.2) Whether you put on makeup or you go as you are, I think you are a goddess. a. Correct b. Faulty Parallelism
Q.3) In New Zealand, leaving a tip for your meal is not expected; in fact, to tip restaurant staff is not a local practice. a. Correct b. Faulty Parallelism
Q.4) A dentist’s drill is like a tiny windmill: on the inside, compressed air turns a tiny turbine and
is causing the drill bit to rotate. a. Correct b. Faulty Parallelism
Q.5) Sebastian plays for hours building things with Lego and to make up stories. a. Correct b. Faulty Parallelism
Q.6) In Paris we visited the Louvre, Disneyland, and the Notre Dame cathedral. a. Correct b. Faulty Parallelism
Q.7) Mohammed’s essay on Jihadism suggested that terrorists are often radicalized because of
systemic poverty, through interactions with police, extremist preaching, or due to hatred of the West. a. Correct b. Faulty Parallelism
Q.8) I went to my local office furniture store and bought a laptop, desk, and a leather chair. a. Correct b. Faulty Parallelism
Q.9) Sarah argued that cats don’t really care about their owner’s well-being, whereas dogs do care. a. Correct b. Faulty Parallelism
Q.10) I heard on the radio that the weather is going to be very humid and air conditioners are on sale right now. a. Correct b. Faulty Parallelism
Parallel Structure: Quiz 1 Answer Key
Q.1) Faulty Parallelism. My aunt was a star athlete on land and (in) water. Q.2) Correct.
Q.3) Faulty parallelism. In New Zealand, leaving a tip for your meal is not expected; in fact,
(tipping) restaurant staff is not a local practice.
Q.4) Faulty parallelism. A dentist’s drill is like a tiny windmill: on the inside, compressed air
turns a tiny turbine and (causes) the drill bit to rotate.
Q.5) Faulty parallelism. Sebastian plays for hours building things with Lego and (making) up stories.
Q.6) Correct. Each item in the list has an article (the), except for Disneyland, which doesn't need one.
Q.7) Faulty Parallelism. Mohammed’s essay on Jihadism suggested that terrorists are often
radicalized because of systemic poverty, interactions with police, extremist preaching, or hatred
of the West. (We don’t need a separate preposition for each item in the list).
Q.8) Faulty Parallelism. I went to my local office furniture store and bought a laptop, (a) desk, and a leather chair.
Q.9) Correct. There is enough of a parallel between “don’t care” and “do care” that we can leave
some information implied in the last clause.
Q.10) Faulty Parallelism. I heard on the radio that the weather is going to be very humid and
(that) air conditioners are on sale right now.