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Parallel Structure: Keeping Lists and Comparisons Balanced — Answers

Answer sheet with model answers and success criteria for the Year 8 sentences & clauses worksheet.

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Success TutoringWorksheetsAnswer sheetYear 8 · English · Sentences & Clauses

Parallel Structure: Keeping Lists and Comparisons Balanced — Answers

Part A: Balanced or not?

Items joined by and, or, but or by pairs such as either... or and not only... but also should have the same grammatical form.

1.Which sentence has parallel structure?
  1. AShe likes swimming, to hike and riding her bike.
  2. BShe likes swimming, hiking and riding her bike.
  3. CShe likes to swim, hiking and to ride her bike.

Answer: She likes swimming, hiking and riding her bike.

All three items are -ing forms: swimming, hiking, riding.

2.Which sentence has parallel structure?
  1. AThe coach told us to warm up, to stretch and that we should drink water.
  2. BThe coach told us to warm up, stretching and drink water.
  3. CThe coach told us to warm up, stretch and drink water.

Answer: The coach told us to warm up, stretch and drink water.

All three are verbs in the same form after to: (to) warm up, stretch, drink.

3.Which sentence has parallel structure?
  1. AThe new library is bright, spacious and has comfortable chairs.
  2. BThe new library is bright, spacious and comfortable.
  3. CThe new library is bright, has space and is comfortable.

Answer: The new library is bright, spacious and comfortable.

Three adjectives in a row: bright, spacious, comfortable.

4.Which sentence has parallel structure?
  1. AHe was not only talented but also worked hard.
  2. BHe was not only talented but also hardworking.
  3. CNot only was he talented, but also he was working hard and with dedication.

Answer: He was not only talented but also hardworking.

After not only and but also, the two parts should match: talented and hardworking are both adjectives.

Part B: Fix the sentence

Rewrite each sentence so that the items match.

5.Make it parallel: "Our goals are to improve fitness, building teamwork and have fun."

Answer: Our goals are to improve fitness, build teamwork and have fun.

  1. Also correct: Our goals are improving fitness, building teamwork and having fun.
6.Make it parallel: "The job requires patience, being careful and that you can work in a team."

Answer: The job requires patience, care and teamwork.

  1. Any version where all three items have the same form is correct, for example: The job requires you to be patient, careful and able to work in a team.
7.Make it parallel: "You can get there by bus, by train or you can walk."

Answer: You can get there by bus, by train or on foot.

8.Make it parallel: "Either we leave now or staying until the end."

Answer: Either we leave now or we stay until the end.

9.Make the comparison parallel: "Reading a book is more relaxing than to watch a film."

Answer: Reading a book is more relaxing than watching a film.

  1. Also correct: To read a book is more relaxing than to watch a film.
10."She was tired, hungry and wanted to go home" has faulty parallel structure.

Answer: True

Tired and hungry are adjectives, but wanted to go home is a verb phrase. Better: She was tired and hungry, and she wanted to go home.

Part C: Parallelism for effect

11.A famous saying runs: "Easy come, easy go." Explain how parallel structure makes it memorable.

Answer: Both halves have the same pattern (easy + verb), so the saying has a neat rhythm and balance that makes it easy to remember.

12.Why might a speech writer use a sentence such as "We will work together, learn together and succeed together"?

Answer: The three matching verb phrases, each ending in together, create rhythm and repetition. The pattern makes the message sound confident and memorable, and it stresses the idea of unity.

13.Write your own sentence that uses parallel structure to persuade students to join a club or team.

Answer: Model: Join the debating club to sharpen your mind, find your voice and make new friends. (Any sentence with three matching items is correct.)

Part D: Your turn

14.Your turn: write a short paragraph (5–6 sentences) for a school newsletter describing an event or activity. Include at least one list of three items, one paired conjunction (either... or, neither... nor, not only... but also, both... and) and one comparison, all with parallel structure. Underline each example.

Model answer: Last Friday, our school held its first science fair. Students built volcanoes, tested paper planes and grew crystals in jars. The judges were impressed not only by the creativity of the projects but also by the clarity of the explanations. Many visitors said that walking through the hall was more exciting than watching a science show on TV. Whether you are a future engineer or simply a curious learner, there was something for everyone. We hope to see both new students and returning competitors at next year's fair.

Success criteria:

  • A list of three items in the same grammatical form
  • A paired conjunction with balanced parts
  • A comparison with matching forms
  • Examples underlined
  • Paragraph is clear and suits a newsletter audience
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