Worked examples
Two examples
Example 1
Which item breaks the pattern? The job requires lifting boxes, working weekends, and to drive a forklift.
- Find the items in the list: lifting boxes / working weekends / to drive a forklift.
- The first two begin with an -ing word. The third begins with to.
- The one with a different shape breaks the pattern. Fix: driving a forklift.
Answer: to drive a forklift
Example 2
Which item breaks the pattern? Our super is friendly, he is helpful, and quick.
- The items: friendly / he is helpful / quick.
- Friendly and quick are single describing words. He is helpful is a whole clause, with its own subject and verb.
- Fix: friendly, helpful, and quick.
Answer: he is helpful
Where this is taught: Sentences: Start Here, Part 6: Parallel structure
More practice: Quiz 35, Parallel structure · In your Kaplan book: Unit 1, Chapter 4, Lesson 6, “Parallel Structure”
The drill
Ten questions
How many:
Tap your answer to each one, then press Check my answers at the bottom.Circle your answer to each one. The answer key, with the reasoning, is on the last page.