Parallel Structure and Balanced Sentences — Answers
Answer sheet with model answers and success criteria for the Year 9 sentences & clauses worksheet.
Success TutoringWorksheetsAnswer sheetYear 9 · English · Sentences & ClausesParallel Structure and Balanced Sentences — Answers
Part A: Spot the parallel sentence
Parallel structure means that items doing the same job in a sentence use the same grammatical form: nouns with nouns, -ing words with -ing words, to + verb with to + verb. Circle the sentence with parallel structure.
- AShe likes hiking, to swim and riding her bike.
- BShe likes hiking, swimming and riding her bike.
- CShe likes to hike, swimming and a bike ride.
- DShe likes hiking, swims and to ride her bike.
Answer: She likes hiking, swimming and riding her bike.
All three items use the same -ing form: hiking, swimming, riding.
- AThe job requires patience, being accurate and that you are friendly.
- BThe job requires patience, accuracy and friendliness.
- CThe job requires being patient, accuracy and to be friendly.
- DThe job requires patience, to be accurate and friendliness.
Answer: The job requires patience, accuracy and friendliness.
Three nouns in a row: patience, accuracy, friendliness.
- AThe coach told us to warm up, to stretch and that we should drink water.
- BThe coach told us to warm up, stretching and drink water.
- CThe coach told us to warm up, to stretch and to drink water.
- DThe coach told us warming up, to stretch and drinking water.
Answer: The coach told us to warm up, to stretch and to drink water.
Each item uses the same to + verb form.
- AThe plan was not only cheap but also it was quick.
- BThe plan was not only cheap but also quick.
- CNot only the plan was cheap but also quick.
- DThe plan not only was cheap but also quick to do it.
Answer: The plan was not only cheap but also quick.
After not only and but also, use matching parts: cheap / quick.
Part B: Fix the faulty parallelism
Rewrite each sentence so that the matching parts are parallel.
Answer: Our new teacher is kind, patient and energetic.
- Three adjectives: kind, patient, energetic.
Answer: I would rather walk to school than catch the bus.
- walk / catch: both base verbs.
Answer: The report was long, hard to follow and full of errors.
- Three adjective phrases: long, hard to follow, full of errors.
Answer: You can either email the form or print it.
- Place either directly before the first of the two matching parts: either email / or print.
Answer: Reading builds vocabulary, improves concentration and teaches you about the world.
- Three verb phrases: builds, improves, teaches.
Part C: Parallel structure for effect
Writers use parallel structure on purpose to create rhythm and emphasis.
- Arule of three with parallel clauses
- Brhetorical question
- Cpassive voice
- Donomatopoeia
Answer: rule of three with parallel clauses
Three clauses with the same pattern (we + verb + for/with) build rhythm.
- AThe storm was loud and frightening.
- BIt is easy to start a habit; it is hard to break one.
- CThe city lights shimmered like stars.
- DShe ran quickly, quietly and carefully.
Answer: It is easy to start a habit; it is hard to break one.
Easy / hard and start / break are contrasted in matching clauses.
Answer: Parallel structure creates rhythm and makes ideas easy to remember, and it suggests the ideas are equally important. Example: We need cleaner air, safer streets and better schools.
Part D: Your turn
Model answer: The debating club will sharpen your thinking, strengthen your voice and widen your circle of friends. It is not only a place to argue but also a place to listen. You can sit at the back of the room, or you can stand at the front of it. Join us on Thursday and find out which one you are.
Success criteria:
- A list of three items in the same grammatical form
- A correctly balanced not only ... but also sentence
- A sentence with antithesis in matching structures
- Persuasive purpose and audience are clear
- Accurate punctuation and spelling
Marking tips
- Give credit for correct method even when the final answer slips — the working shows where the thinking went right.
- For open-ended tasks, use the success criteria as a checklist rather than looking for one "right" answer.
- Celebrate what went well first, then pick one thing to work on next.