Parallel Structure Exercise 3 worksheet with multiple-choice questions.

Problem: Parallel Structure – Exercise 3

The task is to choose the option that maintains parallel structure in each sentence. Parallel structure means using consistent grammatical forms (e.g., all verbs, all nouns, all adjectives) when listing items or actions.

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Solution and Explanation:

#### 1. When Delores realized that her father had made lima beans and rice for dinner, she ________, claimed to feel nauseous, and excused herself from the table.
- The sentence lists three actions: "realized," "claimed," and "excused." To maintain parallelism, the verb form of the first action must match the other two.
- Correct Answer: C. did clutch her stomach
- All three actions are in the past tense: "realized," "claimed," and "did clutch."

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#### 2. Not only did Hank despise the way June chewed with her mouth open, ________ finding her wet towels all over the bathroom floor.
- The sentence uses a parallel structure with "not only... but also." Both parts should have the same grammatical form.
- Correct Answer: A. but also disliked
- "Despise" and "disliked" are both verbs in the past tense, maintaining parallelism.

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#### 3. To protect her delicate hands, Fran will not rake the yard, do the dishes, or ________.
- The sentence lists three activities: "rake the yard," "do the dishes," and the missing action. All should be in the same form.
- Correct Answer: B. won't scrub the bathtub
- All three activities are in the infinitive form ("to + verb"), maintaining parallelism.

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#### 4. When Diana takes her beagle for a walk, Santana enjoys sniffing for edible garbage, ________, and lunging at squirrels.
- The sentence lists three actions performed by Santana: "sniffing," "howling," and "lunging." All should be in the same form.
- Correct Answer: A. howling at bicyclists
- All three actions are gerunds (-ing forms): "sniffing," "howling," and "lunging."

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#### 5. After Amanda cashes her paycheck, the money goes to her savings account, cappuccino fund, and ________.
- The sentence lists three destinations for the money: "savings account," "cappuccino fund," and the missing item. All should be in the same form.
- Correct Answer: C. credit card balance
- All three items are nouns: "savings account," "cappuccino fund," and "credit card balance."

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#### 6. In preparation for her run, Alicia ________, applied sunscreen, and increased the volume on her iPod.
- The sentence lists three actions: "applied sunscreen" and "increased the volume," so the missing action should also be in the past tense.
- Correct Answer: A. tightened her shoelaces
- All three actions are in the past tense: "tightened," "applied," and "increased."

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Final Answers:

1. C. did clutch her stomach
2. A. but also disliked
3. B. won't scrub the bathtub
4. A. howling at bicyclists
5. C. credit card balance
6. A. tightened her shoelaces

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Boxed Final Answer:

\[
\boxed{C, A, B, A, C, A}
\]