Basics of parallelism. 45 questions on parallel structure in lists, coordinating conjunctions, and identifying faulty parallelism in simple sentences.
What this test covers
- Parallel Structure in Lists
- Parallelism with Coordinating Conjunctions
- Identifying Faulty Parallelism
Answer the 45 questions below. Each answer is checked straight away, with an explanation. Press Submit at the end to get your score and save it to your dashboard. Answers are not kept if you leave before submitting.
All 45 questions with answers
Pick an answer for each question to see if you are right, with the explanation. Submit when you are done; you can submit before answering them all.
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Q1My weekend plans include reading, swimming, and ___.
Answer: D. cycling
In a list, all items should have the same form. Here, the first two items end in '-ing' (reading, swimming), so the last item should also be an '-ing' word: 'cycling'.
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Q2The report was clear, concise, and ___.
Answer: C. well-organised
The sentence uses describing words (adjectives) for the report. 'Clear' and 'concise' are adjectives, so 'well-organised' is the correct match.
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Q3He bought bread, milk, and ___ at the supermarket.
Answer: D. eggs
All items in this list are simple names of things (nouns). 'Bread' and 'milk' are nouns, so 'eggs' is the best fit. Phrases like 'getting eggs' or 'to get eggs' add unnecessary extra words.
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Q4I want to walk, to run, and ___ in the park.
Answer: D. jump
When you have a list of 'to' verbs, you can repeat the 'to' or just use the simple verb for the last item. Since we have 'to walk' and 'to run,' we can finish with the simple action 'jump'.
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Q5She came in, sat down, and ___ her laptop.
Answer: D. opened
All actions happened in the past. 'Came' and 'sat' are past tense, so we must use 'opened' to keep the timing consistent.
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Q6You can pay by cash or ___ at the register.
Answer: D. by credit card
To keep the sentence balanced, we match the pattern 'by + noun.' Since we say 'by cash,' we should say 'by credit card.'
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Q7He is honest, hardworking, and ___.
Answer: B. reliable
The list uses single describing words (adjectives). 'Honest' and 'hardworking' are adjectives, so 'reliable' is the matching form.
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Q8She not only sang but also ___ during the performance.
Answer: C. danced
The two parts of the sentence must match. 'Sang' is a past action, so we use 'danced' to match the tense.
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Q9The manager asked me to prepare the slides, ___ the data, and email the team.
Answer: D. analyse
This is a list of actions following the word 'to.' Because we use 'prepare' and 'email,' we must use the simple verb 'analyse' to keep the list balanced.
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Q10The film was long but ___.
Answer: A. interesting
When comparing two describing words with 'but,' they should be in the same form. 'Long' is a simple adjective, so 'interesting' is the matching adjective.
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Q11He enjoys cooking, cleaning, and ___.
Answer: C. doing laundry
After the verb 'enjoys,' we use '-ing' words for activities. 'Cooking' and 'cleaning' are '-ing' words, so 'doing laundry' fits the pattern.
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Q12Identify the error: She needs to study, to work, and relaxing before the exam.
Answer: C. She needs to study, to work, and relaxing before the exam.
'She needs to study, to work, and relaxing before the exam.' contains the error: 'to study' and 'to work' both start with 'to', but 'relaxing' ends in '-ing', which breaks the parallel structure. The other options all maintain consistent grammatical forms throughout the list.
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Q13The instructions were to wash the vegetables, chop them, and ___ them in the pan.
Answer: C. place
This list uses simple action words: 'wash' and 'chop.' To keep the list balanced, the final action should also be the simple verb 'place.'
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Q14He is not only a talented writer but also ___.
Answer: A. an artist
The sentence describes the person using a noun phrase ('a talented writer'). To match this, we need another noun phrase like 'an artist' after 'but also.'
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Q15Applicants must be creative, reliable, and ___.
Answer: A. communicative
The list uses adjectives (describing words). 'Creative' and 'reliable' are adjectives, so we need the adjective 'communicative' to finish the list.
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Q16Choose the grammatically correct version: To succeed, you need to be patient, focused, and a hard worker.
Answer: A. To succeed, you need to be patient, focused, and hard-working.
When listing qualities, stay consistent. 'Patient' and 'focused' are adjectives. 'Hard-working' is also an adjective. Phrases like 'a hard worker' change the grammar and break the pattern.
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Q17Identify the error:
Answer: A. You can travel by train, by bus, or using a plane.
In a balanced list, every item should follow the same pattern. 'You can travel by car, by boat, ...', 'You can travel by taxi, by bus, ...', and 'You can travel by train, by bus,...' all consistently use prepositional phrases ('by' + noun). 'You can travel by train, by bus,...' breaks parallelism by switching from prepositional phrases ('by train', 'by bus') to a participial phrase ('using a plane').
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Q18She likes to travel, to explore, and ___ new cultures.
Answer: D. experience
The list begins with 'to travel' and 'to explore.' You can use the simple verb 'experience' as the final item because the 'to' at the start applies to it as well.
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Q19The weather was cold but ___.
Answer: D. sunny
The word 'but' connects two describing words. 'Cold' is a simple adjective, so 'sunny' is the matching adjective.
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Q20He enjoys reading, writing, and ___.
Answer: C. playing games
When listing hobbies after 'enjoys,' use the '-ing' form. 'Reading' and 'writing' are '-ing' words, so 'playing games' is the correct match.
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Q21Identify the error: She is not only a teacher but also mentoring.
Answer: B. She is not only a teacher but also mentoring.
'She is not only a teacher but also mentoring.' is the sentence that contains the error: 'a teacher' (noun phrase) is paired with 'mentoring' (an action ending in -ing), breaking the parallel structure required by 'not only...but also'. The other options maintain consistent grammatical forms by pairing two noun phrases or two adjectives.
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Q22You can apply online, by phone, or ___.
Answer: B. in person
This list describes ways to do something. 'Online,' 'by phone,' and 'in person' are all balanced ways to complete the thought. Words like 'visiting' break the pattern.
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Q23The athlete trained hard, ate well, and ___ every day.
Answer: D. slept early
The actions in this list happened in the past ('trained,' 'ate'). To keep the sentence consistent, the final action must also be in the past: 'slept.'
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Q24She wants to study, work, and ___.
Answer: C. travel
The list follows the word 'to' (to study, [to] work, [to] travel). Use the simple verb 'travel' to match 'study' and 'work.'
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Q25The city is famous for its museums, parks, and ___.
Answer: C. restaurants
The list contains names of places (nouns). 'Museums' and 'parks' are plural nouns, so 'restaurants' is the best match.
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Q26Choose the grammatically correct version: He walked, talked, and was running home.
Answer: B. He walked, talked, and ran home.
All actions in a list should be in the same tense. 'Walked' and 'talked' are past tense, so 'ran' is the correct past tense form to finish the list.
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Q27The music was loud but ___.
Answer: A. good
The word 'but' links describing words. 'Loud' is an adjective, so we use the adjective 'good' to keep the sentence simple and balanced.
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Q28He is not only intelligent but also ___.
Answer: B. funny
'Intelligent' is an adjective. To keep the sentence balanced after 'but also,' we need another adjective like 'funny.'
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Q29You can finish the task today, tomorrow, or ___.
Answer: B. next week
This is a list of time expressions. 'Today' and 'tomorrow' are simple time words, so 'next week' is the most natural match.
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Q30The new kitchen is modern, spacious, and ___.
Answer: B. bright
The list uses adjectives to describe the kitchen. 'Modern' and 'spacious' are adjectives, so 'bright' is the correct adjective to complete the list.
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Q31Choose the grammatically correct version: I like to swim, to bike, and running.
Answer: B. I like to swim, to bike, and to run.
In a list, every item should have the same form. 'To swim, to bike, and to run' is correct because all three items use the 'to' + verb pattern.
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Q32The team decided to meet, to discuss, and ___.
Answer: C. to decide
To keep the sentence balanced, every action in the list should follow the same pattern: 'to meet,' 'to discuss,' and 'to decide.'
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Q33He not only works hard but also ___.
Answer: C. studies hard
The phrase 'not only... but also' connects similar structures. 'Works hard' is a present tense action, so 'studies hard' is the matching present tense action.
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Q34She was tired, hungry, and ___.
Answer: A. irritable
This list uses adjectives (describing words) to say how she felt. 'Tired' and 'hungry' are adjectives, so 'irritable' matches them perfectly.
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Q35You should check the oil, the tyres, and ___.
Answer: C. the lights
We are listing parts of a car using 'the + noun.' 'The oil' and 'the tyres' match 'the lights.'
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Q36Choose the grammatically correct version: She sings, dances, and was acting.
Answer: A. She sings, dances, and acts.
All actions in the list use the present simple tense. 'Sings' and 'dances' match 'acts.'
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Q37The book was short but ___.
Answer: B. informative
'Short' is a simple adjective. After 'but,' we need another simple adjective to keep the sentence balanced. 'Informative' is the best choice.
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Q38He is not only a doctor but also ___.
Answer: A. a researcher
'A doctor' is a noun phrase for a job. To match it, we use another noun phrase, 'a researcher,' after 'but also.'
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Q39To run, to jump, and ___ are good exercises.
Answer: A. to swim
The list starts with 'To run' and 'to jump.' To keep the pattern consistent, we should use 'to swim' for the third item.
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Q40The house is clean, tidy, and ___.
Answer: D. well-maintained
The sentence lists adjectives to describe the house. 'Clean' and 'tidy' are adjectives, so 'well-maintained' is the matching describing word.
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Q41Choose the grammatically correct version: They play, practice, and are winning.
Answer: C. They play, practice, and win.
This list describes regular habits in the present tense. 'Play' and 'practice' are simple present verbs, so 'win' is the matching form.
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Q42The weather was rainy but ___.
Answer: A. warm
'Rainy' is an adjective. To keep the sentence balanced, use the adjective 'warm' after the word 'but.'
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Q43He is not only busy but also ___.
Answer: D. tired
Because 'busy' is an adjective, we use the adjective 'tired' after 'but also' to keep both parts of the description equal.
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Q44She enjoys painting, drawing, and ___.
Answer: B. sculpting
This list uses '-ing' words for hobbies. 'Painting' and 'drawing' match 'sculpting.'
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Q45The project was difficult, time-consuming, and ___.
Answer: D. expensive
The list uses adjectives to describe the project. 'Difficult' and 'time-consuming' match the adjective 'expensive.'
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