PSAT Writing : Identifying Parallel Structure Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #51 : Identifying Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Lisa insisted that her favorite activities included camping, reading, drinking tea, and hikes. No error
No error
included
favorite
and hikes
insisted that
and hikes
This sentence does not have parallel structure between the items in the list. The first three are gerund verbs, but the fourth is a noun. The corrected sentence reads: Lisa insisted that her favorite activities included camping, reading, drinking tea, and hiking.
Example Question #32 : Identifying Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Until he started his first food service job, Hank had never mopped a floor, scrubbed a wall, or wash dishes. No error
wash dishes
Until
or
had never mopped
No error
wash dishes
This sentence has a problem with parallel structure. All of the items in the list should be in the same verb tense, but the third item here is in a different tense. The corrected sentence reads: Until he started his first food service job, Hank had never mopped a floor, scrubbed a wall, or washed dishes.
Example Question #21 : Identifying Parallel Structure Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
It’s a long drive, but I would much rather drive home than bus. No error
but
than bus
It's
No error
long
than bus
In this sentence, the format of the two items being compared does not stay parallel. “Drive” is a verb, and “bus” is a noun. The corrected sentence reads: It’s a long drive, but I would much rather drive home than take the bus.
Example Question #22 : Identifying Parallel Structure Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The spies started to empathize with the man they were watching, and suddenly they wondered if their actions were morally excusable or not being so. No error
No error
and suddenly
not being so
they
empathize with
not being so
This sentence lacks grammatical parallelism. The phrase “not being so” is clunky, and it doesn’t match with the earlier part “were morally excusable.” The corrected sentence reads: The spies started to empathize with the man they were watching, and suddenly they wondered if their actions were morally excusable or not.
Example Question #54 : Identifying Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
She aspired to someday live in Barcelona, learn Spanish, and traveling through the country. No error
No error
live in
through
traveling
someday
traveling
This sentence has a problem with parallelism. The items in the list should be formatted the same. The corrected sentence reads, "She aspired to someday live in Barcelona, learn Spanish, and travel through the country."
Example Question #31 : Identifying Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
When I was much younger I was very energetic, but now I nap often, watch a lot of television, tired, and rarely work out. No error
often
No error
much younger
rarely
tired
tired
All of the items in this poor tired fellow's list of activities need to be in the same form. Yet we find three verbs ("nap," "watch," and "work out") and one adjective ("tired"). Thus, the adjective is the odd one out and needs to be changed (to something like "am always tired").
Example Question #23 : Identifying Parallel Structure Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
That performance has been seen by more people than any musical made in the past decade. No error
any musical
has been seen
No error
than
in
any musical
The word "other" should be included in a comparison of one thing with a group, so the correct phrase is "any other musical" and "any musical" contains the sentence's error.
Example Question #24 : Identifying Parallel Structure Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The class project consisted of forming groups, discussing questions about the novel, and give a presentation in front of the class. No error
No error
give
consisted of
groups
in front of
give
"Give" is the wrong verb tense. To achieve parallelism, it should be "giving."
Example Question #25 : Identifying Parallel Structure Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The town fell into chaos and confusion; people fled from their homes and running blindly into obstacles. No error
No error
confusion; people
running
fell into
their
running
This sentence has a problem with verb tense and parallelism. Since the “fled” and “running” are coordinated with a conjunction, they should be formatted in the same way. The corrected sentence reads, "The town fell into chaos and confusion; people fled from their homes and ran blindly into obstacles."
Example Question #26 : Identifying Parallel Structure Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Ultimately, he concluded that having a surprise party on a gloomy day was better than his birthday. No error
concluded that having
than his birthday
on
No error
gloomy
than his birthday
This sentence does not compare between two like things. The two sides of the comparison should be formatted in a parallel way. The corrected sentence reads, "Ultimately, he concluded that having a surprise party on a gloomy day was better than one on his birthday."
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