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Parallel Construction and Comparison

Description: Parallel Construction and Comparison
Number of Questions: 17
Created by:
Tags: Parallel Construction and Comparison Parallelism Comparison
Attempted 0/16 Correct 0 Score 0

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

In all the big cities, there is a flood of health clubs which claim to decrease stress level and weight is reduced.

  1. decrease stress level and weight is reduced.

  2. decrease stress level and weight reduces.

  3. decrease stress level and reduce weight.

  4. decrease stress level and reduced weight.

  5. decreasing stress level and reducing weight.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Explanation for (1): The sentence bears error of parallelism. All the parts of a sentence should be in similar construction ('decrease' stress level; and weight is 'reduced').

Explanation for (2): This option does not rectify the error of parallelism.

Justification for (3): This option corrects the error of parallel construction as 'decrease' and 'reduce'.
Explanation for (4): This option makes unnecessary change in tense (reduced weight). Explanation for (5): This option makes unnecessary and incorrect change of infinitive to gerund. 'Claim to decreasing' is incorrect.

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

He was cleverer than diligent; his will was strong; his activities were marked with a reckless audacity.

  1. He was cleverer than diligent; his will was strong

  2. He was cleverer than diligent; his will was stronger

  3. He was more clever than diligent; his will was strong

  4. He was more clever than diligent; his will was stronger

  5. He was cleverer than he was diligent; his will was strong


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Explanation for (1): The sentence bears the error of comparison. When we compare two qualities of the same person, we have to use the comparative 'more' rather than the comparative form of the adjective. So, the usage should be 'more clever' in place of 'cleverer'.

Explanation for (2): The option does not rectify the error of comparison and introduces another error. (Changes 'strong' to 'stronger')

Justification for (3): The sentence bears the error of comparison. When we compare two qualities of the same person, we have to use the comparative 'more' rather than the comparative form of the adjective. This option rectifies the error of comparison.
Explanation for (4): Though this option rectifies the error of comparison, it introduces another error: 'use of stronger where no comparison is drawn' Explanation for (5): The option does not rectify the error of comparison and also introduces another error of redundancy (use of 'he was' before diligent' is redundant).

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

The higher your aspirations, greater the effort you need to put in.

  1. The higher your aspirations, greater the effort you need to put in.

  2. The higher your aspirations, the greater the effort you need to put in.

  3. The higher are your aspirations, greater is the effort you need to put in.

  4. The higher are your aspirations, the greater are the efforts you need to put in.

  5. The higher your aspirations, greater the efforts you need to put in.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Explanation for (1): For a sentence to be parallel, the action and the result should be in the same tone. Thus the article 'the' should be added before 'greater' to correct the error of parallelism.

Justification for (2): For a sentence to be parallel, the action and the result should be in the same tone. The option rectifies the error by placing 'the' before 'greater'.

Explanation for (3):  Use of 'the', before 'effort', is correct. But, another 'the', before 'greater' is missing. Also, there is no need to use the auxiliary even once.
Explanation for (4): There is no need to use the auxiliary even once Explanation for (5): The option does not rectify the error of parallelism. 'The' should be used before greater. The article 'the' should be added before 'greater' to correct the error of parallelism.

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Pioneers in artificial intelligence and in nanotechnology are very resourceful and their talent is as majestic as any other renowned experimentalist proudly placed in the most famous science books.

  1. as majestic as any other

  2. majestic like any other

  3. so majestic as any other

  4. as majestic as that of any other

  5. comparable to any other


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Explanation for (1): Type of error: Parallel comparative

In the given sentence there is a comparison between 'their talent' (quality) and 'renowned experimentalist' (person). But talent and experimentalist cannot be compared as they belong to separate classes.

Explanation for (2): The option fails to correct the error of incorrect comparison and is grammatically incorrect.
Explanation for (3): The option fails to correct the error of incorrect comparison. Also, the use of 'so' is inappropriate.
Justification for (4): The given sentence correctly compares the talent of the pioneers to the talent of any other renowned experimentalist. Explanation for (5): The option does not correct the error of non-parallel comparison. 'As majestic as that of any other' expresses the correct comparison.

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Algebra is the branch of mathematics concerned with operations on sets of numbers or other elements that are often represented as symbol.

  1. sets of numbers or other elements that are often represented as symbol.

  2. set of numbers or other elements that are often represented as symbol.

  3. sets of numbers or other elements that are often represented as symbols.

  4. sets of numbers and other elements that are often represented as symbol.

  5. set numbers or other elements that are often represented as symbol.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Explanation for (1): Error of comparison. 'Sets of numbers' is a plural expression and should have a plural comparison. 'Symbol' being singular is incorrect.

Explanation for (2): Even if  we take the singular 'set', the comparison of 'symbol' or 'symbols' will be with the plural 'numbers' or 'elements'.

Justification for (3): Sets of numbers is a plural expression and should have a plural comparison. 'Symbol' should be symbols.
Explanation for (4): This option fails to correct the error of comparison and compounds the error by replacing the conjunction 'or' with 'and'. Explanation for (5): This option is marked incorrect because of the omission of preposition 'of'.

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others. The greater the number of cars on the road, and the greater the emission of exhaust gases, greater is the amount of pollution in the atmosphere.

  1. greater is the amount of pollution in the atmosphere

  2. greater are the amounts of pollution in the atmosphere

  3. greater is the pollution in the atmosphere

  4. the greater is the amount of pollution in the atmosphere


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Explanation for (1): Rules of parallelism demand “The greater the number …….the greater the emission… the greater is the amount'.

Explanation for (2): Changing the number does not correct the error of parallelism.

Explanation for (3): This option fails to correct the error of parallelism.
Justification for (4): Rules of parallelism demand “The greater the number …….the greater the emission… the greater is the amount'. The error stands corrected in (4) Explanation for (5): This option fails to correct the error of parallelism and compounds the error by adding the unidiomatic “quantity” of pollution.

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others. The difficulties of the Moor family represent a unique kind of affliction that should not have been and that have somehow been especially visited upon them, and they are into this mess precisely because, unlike Stacey Price, the oral expression of George Moore is completely dull and woody.

  1. unlike Stacy Price, the oral expression of George Moore

  2. unlike the diction of Stacy Price, the oral expression of George Moore

  3. unalike the diction of Stacey Price, George Moore's oral expression

  4. the oral expression of George Moore that is dissimilar to Stacy Price's


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Explanation for (1): Type of error: Parallel comparison

The given sentence makes an incorrect comparison between 'Stacy Price' and 'the oral expression of George Moore'.

Justification for (2): The given option rectifies the 'Lemons and Bananas' error of comparing two dissimilar things. It clearly compares 'the diction of Stacey Price' to 'the oral expression of George Moore'.
Explanation for (3): The option makes a correct comparison of the oral expression of 'George Moore' and that of 'Stacy Price' but the comparable sentence parts are not structurally similar.
Explanation for (4): The option makes no grammatical sense. Explanation for (5): The option repeats the incorrect comparison between 'Stacy Price' and 'the oral expression of George Moore'.

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

The government needs to focus on cutting unnecessary red tapism rather than to worry about a paltry reduction in card fees.

  1. rather than to worry about a paltry reduction in card fees

  2. rather to worry about a paltry reduction in card fees

  3. rather than to worry about a part reduction in card fees

  4. rather than worrying about a paltry reduction in card fees

  5. rather than to worry for a part reduction in card fees


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Explanation for (1): The sentence has error of parallelism. The gerund form 'cutting' and the infinitive form 'to worry' cannot come together.

Explanation for (2): The option does not rectify the error of parallelism and introduces another error ('rather' is followed by 'than' not by 'to').

Explanation for (3): The option does not rectify the error of parallelism and also introduces another error by replacing 'partly reduction' by 'a part reduction'.
Justification for (4): The sentence has error of parallelism. The gerund form 'cutting' and the infinitive form 'to worry' cannot come together. This option rectifies the error of parallelism (cutting and worrying). Hence, it is the correct answer. Explanation for (5): This option does not rectify the error of parallelism and introduces other errors; changes 'paltry reduction' to 'a part reduction' and 'about' to 'for'.

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Consumers are beginning to take notice of Euro-II cars because they cause no air pollution and petrol without lead is used.

  1. cause no air pollution and petrol without lead is used.

  2. cause no air pollution and use petrol without lead.

  3. air pollution is not caused and petrol without lead is used.

  4. causing no air pollution and using petrol without lead.

  5. air pollution is not caused and petrol without lead.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Explanation for (1): This sentence has error of parallelism ('cause' no air pollution and petrol without lead is 'used').

Justification for (2): This option corrects the error of parallel construction. ('Cause' and 'use')

Explanation for (3): This option converts both the clauses into passive form, which is not the preferred use.
Explanation for (4): They 'causing' and they 'using' is ridiculous. Explanation for (5): The phrase sounds ridiculous as it follows 'they'.

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

The centre should play a leading role not only in formulating policies but also to ensure the speedy implementation.

  1. but also to ensure the speedy implementation.

  2. but in ensuring the speedy implementation also.

  3. but also in ensuring the speedy implementation.

  4. but to ensure the speedy implementation also.

  5. and also to ensure the speedy implementations.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Explanation for (1): The sentence has error of parallelism. The gerund form in the first part of sentence (formulating) cannot take infinitive in the latter part (to ensure).

Explanation for (2): The option rectifies the error of parallelism, but it introduces the error of coordinating conjunction by misplacing 'also'.

Justification for (3): The sentence has error of parallelism. The gerund form in the first part of sentence (formulating) cannot take infinitive in the latter part (to ensure).This option corrects the error of parallel structure.
Explanation for (4): The option does not rectify the error of parallelism and also introduces the error of coordinating conjunction by misplacing 'also'. Explanation for (5): The option does not rectify the error of parallelism and it also introduces the error of conjunction by replacing 'but' by 'and'.

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Animal researchers have identified many behavioral patterns associated with selection of a place to live, avoiding predators, and finding food.

  1. with selection of a place to live, avoiding predators, and finding food

  2. with selection of a place to live, avoidance of predators, and finding of food

  3. with selecting a place to live, avoiding predators, and finding food

  4. in selection of a place to live, avoiding predators, and finding food

  5. to selection of a place to live, avoiding predators, and finding food


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

 Explanation for (1): Avoid' and 'find' are used in gerund form (ing) but this is not the case with 'select'. 'Slection of', 'avoiding' and 'finding' are not parallel.

 Explanation for (2): 'Avoidance of predators' is incorrect usage. Should heve been 'avoiding predators'.
Justification for (3): Avoid' and 'find' are used in gerund form in the original sentence, but this is not the case with 'select'. (3) corrects the error of parallelism.'Slecting', 'avoiding' and 'finding' are parallel.

Explanation for (4): 'Selection', 'avoiding' and 'finding' are unparallel. Explanation for (5): 'To selection' is ungrammatical and unparallel with the gerund forms 'avoiding' and 'finding'

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

During the Miss Universe contest, it was a difficult moment for judges to decide whether Miss India or Miss Greece is the most beautiful.

  1. to decide whether Miss India or Miss Greece is the most beautiful

  2. to decide as to whether Miss India or Miss Greece is the most beautiful

  3. to decide whether Miss India or Miss Greece is more beautiful

  4. to decide whether Miss India or Miss Greece was more beautiful

  5. to decide whether Miss India or Miss Greece were beautiful


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Explanation for (1): The sentence bears error of comparison and tense. When comparison is drawn comparative degree is used but in this sentence superlative degree has been used. The first part of the sentence is in past tense, the latter should also be in past tense not in present tense.

Explanation for (2): This option does not rectify the error of comparison and introduces another error by inserting 'as to' before 'whether'.

Explanation for (3): The option rectifies the error of comparison but does not rectify the error of tense.
Justification for (4): The sentence bears error of comparison and tense. When comparison is drawn, comparative degree is used but in this sentence superlative degree has been used. Also, the first part of the sentence is in past tense, the latter should also be in past tense not in present tense. This option rectifies both the errors. Explanation for (5): The option does not rectify the error of comparison and also introduces error of subject verb agreement (use of were: when two singular subjects are joined by 'or', singular verb is required).

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others. The colonists developed their own social affairs and managed their own civil affairs according to the exigencies of the case and democracy's principles.

  1. according to the exigencies of the case and democracy's principle.

  2. according to the exigencies of the case and the principles of democracy.

  3. in accordance with the exigencies of the case and the principals of democracy.

  4. according to the exigencies of the case and the principles that are used in democracy.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Explanation for (1): The sentence bears error of parallelism and the possessive. The usage should be 'exigencies of the case and the principles of democracy'

Justification for (2): This option rectifies the error of the parallelism and the possessive by bringing both parts of the sentence in similar construction (exigencies of the case and the principles of democracy).

Explanation for (3): The option can be safely eliminated as it changes the meaning of the sentence. Mark the replacement of 'principles' with 'principals'.
Explanation for (4): The option does not rectify the error of parallelism. Explanation for (5): This option rectifies the error of the parallelism and the possessive, but incorrectly changes 'according to' to 'in accordance to'.

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others. The winding roads of the hill town were less in number than the nearby town in the plains.

  1. were less in number than the nearby town in the plains.

  2. were less in number than those nearby town in the plains.

  3. were fewer in number than that of the nearby town in the plains.

  4. were fewer in number than those of the nearby town in the plains.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Explanation for (1): The sentence contains two errors. First, there is a faulty comparison. As constructed, the sentence makes an attempt to compare the number of winding roads of the hill town with the other. But the comparison should be between “roads” and “roads”. Second, when referring to discrete quantities, items that can be counted, we use the words “fewer” and “fewest” rather than “less” and “least”.

Explanation for (2): The option makes no coherent sense.

Explanation for (3): Roads are plural, so 'that' is inappropriate for comparison.
Justification for (4): This option correctly compares “roads” and “roads” and uses “fewer” in place of “less” Explanation for (5): The option makes no coherent sense.

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others. In the last three hundred years, man has created a magnificent industrial society, produced machines that do much of the work for him and has gathered an ever-increasing knowledge of the universe.

  1. has gathered an ever-increasing knowledge of the universe

  2. an ever-increasing knowledge of the universe has been gathered

  3. gathered an ever-increasing knowledge of the universe

  4. gathering in the process an ever-increasing knowledge of the universe


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Explanation for (1): The usage of 'has' gathered is incorrect as it does not continue with the parallel construction of the sentence.

Explanation for (2): This option compounds the error of parallel construction by converting the underlined clause into passive voice.

Justification for (3): This option corrects the error of parallelism. (has created…produced… gathered)
Explanation for (4): This option does not correct the error of parallelism. (has created…produced… gathering) Explanation for (5): This option corrects the error of parallelism. (has created…produced…gathering)

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others. Modern man is heir to the caveman who made his first fire, flaked the first stone tools, living on the flesh of the mammoth.

  1. flaked the first stone tools, living on the flesh of the mammoth

  2. flaking the first stone tools, and living on the flesh of the mammoth

  3. flaked the first stone tools, and had to live on the flesh of the mammoth

  4. flaked the first stone tools, and lived on the flesh of the mammoth


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Explanation for (1): The use of gerund form 'living' tempers with the parallel construction of the sentence (made…flaked).

Explanation for (2): This option fails to correct the error of parallelism. (made…flaking… living).

Explanation for (3): This option fails to correct the error of parallelism. (made…flaked… had to live).
Justification for (4): The use of gerund form 'living' tempers with the parallel construction of the sentence. This is rectified only in (4) (made…flaked… lived). Explanation for (5): This option fails to correct the error of parallelism. (made…flaked… used to live).

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