Look at the following question from a real ACT and determine if there is an
error in parallel structure.
1. As a young woman, she wrote of
pining for a valentine and of visiting the
Chinese museum in Boston.
A. NO CHANGE
B. visiting to
C. of her visiting to
D. of her visiting at
2. Others, salt-encrusted, "sleep" in
ancient caverns, waking after centuries
to feed and to be bred.
A. NO CHANGE
B. for breeding
C. to breed
D. breeding
3. More than twice as many people
inhabit Nigeria as Ethiopia.
A. NO CHANGE
B. as in Ethiopia
C. than Ethiopia
D. as inhabit Ethiopia
4. Unsurprisingly, the diligent student
completed his homework punctually,
studied the material thoroughly, and his
presentations were delivered well.
A. NO CHANGE
B. his presentations were well
delivered
C. delivered his presentations well.
D. his delivery was good on his
presentations.
5. Greg reached his dream not only of
having a family but also of becoming a
successful entrepreneur.
A. NO CHANGE
B. to become
C. becoming
D. became
6. Before leaving your house on the
morning of the ACT, make sure you have
pencils, a snack, and remembering a
calculator.
A. NO CHANGE
B. a calculator
C. to remember a calculator
D. have had remembered a
calculator
7. Because Matt does not get enough
sleep, he has difficulty focusing and to
stay alert.
A. NO CHANGE
B. stays
C. staying
D. OMIT the underlined portion
8. Lucie is not only a loving character,
but she is a strong character as well.
A. NO CHANGE
B. character but she is a strong
character as well.
C. character, but she is also a
strong character.
D. character but also a strong
character.