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S-7a–S-7e Parallelism
Multiple Choice
For each of the following items, select the answer that demonstrates parallelism. If the
original sentence uses parallel structure correctly, select c. No change.
1. A text can be presented in paragraphs—or in the form of lists, tables, charts, as graphs,
and so on.
a. A text can be presented in paragraphs—or in the form of lists, or on a table, charts, as
graphs, and so on.
b. A text can be presented in paragraphs—or in the form of lists, tables, charts, graphs,
and so on.
c. No change
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-7a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=28>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-7a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-7a.htmlr-words-as-words.html>
2. To do well on final exams, students should not only study every day but also be getting
enough sleep.
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a. To do well on final exams, students should not only have studied every day but also
sleep enough.
b. To do well on final exams, students should not only study every day but also get
enough sleep.
c. No change
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-7b.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=29>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-7b.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-7b.html>
3. Growing tomatoes in my yard requires three things: a sunny location, some soil that
has been well cultivated, and keeping deer out with a wire fence.
a. Growing tomatoes in my yard requires three things: a sunny location, some wellcultivated soil, and a wire fence to keep out the deer.
b. Growing tomatoes in my yard requires three things: plenty of sun, cultivating the soil
well, and a wire fence for keeping the deer away.
c. No change
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
3
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-7a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=28>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-7a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-7a.htmlr-words-as-words.html>
4. Tips for using presentation software:

Lists rather than paragraphs.

Amount of information on a slide.

Be sure the type is large enough for the audience to read.
a. Tips for using presentation software:

Use lists rather than paragraphs.

Don’t put too much information on a slide.

Be sure the type is large enough for the audience to read.
b. Tips for using presentation software:

Why lists are better than paragraphs.

Don’t put too much information on a slide.

Why large type is a good idea.
c. No change
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-7c.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=29>
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In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-7c.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-7c.html>
5. When a police officer stops you for speeding, you should apologize, be polite, and find
your driver’s license.
a. When a police officer stops you for speeding, you should try apologizing, be making
an effort to be polite, and try to find your driver’s license.
b. When a police officer stops you for speeding, you should be apologetic, try to be
polite, and to find your driver’s license.
c. No change
ANS: c
REF: The correct answer is c.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-7a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=28>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-7a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-7a.htmlr-words-as-words.html>
6. The Norton Field Guide offers the guidance many new teachers need and the flexibility
wanted by many experienced teachers.
a. The Norton Field Guide offers guidance for new teachers and the flexibility many
experienced teachers want.
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b. The Norton Field Guide offers the guidance many new teachers need and the flexibility
many experienced teachers want.
c. No change
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-7b.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=29>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-7b.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-7b.html>
7. The perky Labrador retriever charged through the yard, did go down the hill, and went
after the squirrels.
a. The perky Labrador retriever charged through the yard, down the hill, and after the
squirrels.
b. The perky Labrador retriever was charging through the yard, went down the hill, and
chased the squirrels.
c. No change
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-7a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=28>
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In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-7a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-7a.htmlr-words-as-words.html>
8. Evaluating the causes of the Civil War
●Economic reasons
●Cultures of North and South different
●Understanding slavery
a. Evaluating the causes of the Civil War
●Economic reasons were a factor.
●Culture—North vs. South
●Slavery as a moral issue
b. Evaluating the causes of the Civil War
●Economic reasons
●Cultural factors
●Slavery issues
c. No change
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-7e.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=30>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-7e.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-7e.html>
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9. My wealthy aunt works hard every day, as she polishes her nails, and is chatting with
friends, and is reading romance novels.
a. My wealthy aunt works hard every day, as she polishes her nails, chats with friends,
and reads romance novels.
b. My wealthy aunt works hard every day, as she is polishing her nails, and she chats with
friends and reads romance novels.
c. No change
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-7a.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=28>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-7a.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-7a.htmlr-words-as-words.html>
10. To finish her paper by tomorrow afternoon, Jayne needs either to work until midnight
or she would have to get up early in the morning
a. To finish her paper by tomorrow afternoon, Jayne needs either to work until midnight
or to get up early in the morning.
b. To finish her paper by tomorrow afternoon, Jayne needs either to be working until
midnight or to get up early in the morning.
c. No change
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ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-7b.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=29>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-7b.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-7b.html>
S-7f Parallelism: Including All the Necessary Words
Multiple Choice
Each of the following sentences may be missing one or more words that are needed for
parallelism and clarity. Select the answer that uses parallel structure correctly. If the
original sentence is correct, select c. No change.
1. Politicians announce their intention to run for office in several ways: in news
conferences, major speeches, and with their Web sites.
a. Politicians announce their intention to run for office in several ways: during news
conferences, during major speeches, and by having their own Web sites.
b. Politicians announce their intention to run for office in several ways: in news
conferences, during major speeches, and on their Web sites.
c. No change
ANS: b
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REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-7f.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=31>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-7f.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-7f.html>
2. The psychologist quickly realized that the husband liked golf more than his wife.
a. The psychologist quickly realized that the husband liked golf more than he liked his
wife.
b. The psychologist quickly realized that the husband liked golf more than his wife was
ever going to like the game.
c. No change
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-7f.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=31>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-7f.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-7f.html>
3. Jack prefers living in the Rockies to the East Coast.
a. Jack prefers the Rockies to life on the East Coast.
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b. Jack prefers living in the Rockies to living on the East Coast.
c. No change
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-7f.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=31>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-7f.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-7f.html>
4. While researching Edgar Allan Poe, I discovered that it was important not only to
analyze the plots of his famous short stories but the details of his personal life.
a. While researching Edgar Allan Poe, I discovered that it was important to analyze not
only the plots of his famous short stories but to look at the details of his personal life.
b. While researching Edgar Allan Poe, I discovered that it was important to analyze not
only the plots of his famous short stories but also the details of his personal life.
c. No change
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-7f.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=31>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-7f.
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<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-7f.html>
5. What would you rather do tonight—go to that new movie we wanted to see, get tickets
for the rock concert on campus, or just stay home and watch television?
a. What would you rather do tonight—go to that new movie we wanted to see, the rock
concert on campus, or just stay home and watch television?
b. What would you rather do tonight—go to that new movie, the rock concert on campus,
or watch television?
c. No change
ANS: c
REF: The correct answer is c.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-7f.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=31>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-7f.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-7f.html>
6. For renovation jobs, Marty is the one who does the best job and I trust.
a. For renovation jobs, Marty is the one who does the best job, and I trust that.
b. For renovation jobs, Marty is the one who does the best job and whom I trust.
c. No change
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
12
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-7f.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=31>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-7f.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-7f.html>
7. The poetry of Robert Frost, of Emily Dickinson, and the music of Willie Nelson are
some of my favorite things.
a. The poetry of Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson and the music of Willie Nelson are
some of my favorite things.
b. Robert Frost’s poetry, Emily Dickinson’s poetry, and hearing Willie Nelson’s music
are some of my favorite things.
c. No change
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-7f.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=31>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-7f.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-7f.html>
8. The qualities of friendship include being a good listener, an honest opinion, and a
sense of humor.
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a. The qualities of friendship include being a good listener, honesty, and having a sense
of humor.
b. The qualities of friendship include being a good listener, giving an honest opinion, and
having a sense of humor.
c. No change
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-7f.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=31>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-7f.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-7f.html>
9. I admired the doctor in charge of the case and who stayed with us as my grandfather
took his last breaths.
a. I admired the doctor who was in charge of the case and the fact that he stayed with us
as my grandfather took his last breaths.
b. I admired the doctor who was in charge of the case and who stayed with us as my
grandfather took his last breaths.
c. No change
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
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In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-7f.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=31>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-7f.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-7f.html>
10. According to my instructor, neither the novels of John Grisham nor James Patterson
are of high literary quality, but I enjoy them nevertheless.
a. According to my instructor, neither the novels of John Grisham nor those of James
Patterson are of high literary quality, but I enjoy them nevertheless.
b. According to my instructor, neither the novels of John Grisham nor James Patterson’s
books are of high literary quality, but I enjoy them nevertheless.
c. No change
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-7f.
<http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welco
me.asp?page=31>
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-7f.
<http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-7f.html>