UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN

CENTRE FOR FOUNDATION STUDIES

FHEL 1134 ENGLISH FOR BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

TUTORIAL 2: PARALLELISM

Task 1: Tick the CORRECT sentence for each of the following pairs. Note that one has parallel
structure and the other sentence lacks parallel structure.

1. A____Stella is smart, beautiful and loves everyone.

B____Stella is smart, beautiful and loving.

2. A____ Kenny was not only Sony’s cousin, but also his best friend.
B____ Kenny was not only Sony’s cousin, but also he was his best friend.

3. A____Andy’s day is so long that he gets up at 6.oo a.m., leaves for work at 6.30a.m., is
having dinner at 11.00p.m., and goes to bed at 2.00a.m.
B____Andy’s day is so long that he gets up at 6.00a.m., leaves for work at 6.30a.m., has
dinner at 11.00p.m., and goes to bed at 2.00a.m.

4. A____Most people play golf for pleasure, for exercise, and for social contacts.
B____Most people play golf for pleasure, for exercise, and so they can meet people.

5. A____I spent two hours with the manager, reviewing my job performance, evaluating my
goals, and my future with the company was also discussed.
B____I spent two hours with the manager, reviewing my job performance, evaluating my
goals, and discussing my future with the company.

6. A____If you go to the store, please remember to pick up your prescription, to buy some
shampoo, and to look for a notebook.
B____If you go to the store, please remember to pick up your prescription, buy shampoo,
and to look for a notebook.

7. A____At the body shop, the car was sanded to the bare metal, painted with primer, and
blue enamel was sprayed on it.
B____At the body shop, the car was sanded to the bare metal, painted with primer, and
sprayed with blue enamel.

8. A____The most dangerous forms of transportation are bicycles, cars, and motorcycles.
B____The most dangerous forms of transportation are bicycles, cars and riding a
motorcycle.

9. A____Many people share the same three fears: making speeches, being in high places,
and numbers.
B____Many people share the same three fears: making speeches, being in high places,
and working with numbers.

10. A____Mr. Bing’s lecture was inaccurate, boring and unnecessary.

B____Mr Bing’s lecture was inaccurate, boring and should have been omitted.
Task 2: Read the sentences below. Then, choose the option that maintains parallel structure.

1. When Smith realized that his father had made fish curry and rice for dinner, he _____,
claimed to feel nauseous, and excused himself from the table.
A. clutched his stomach
B. was clutching his stomach
C. did clutch his stomach

2. Tom not only despised the way June chewed, ______ the way she messed up her room.
A. but also disliked
B. but also disliking
C. but he also disliked

3. To protect her delicate hands, Fran will not wash the clothes, clean her bedroom, or
______.
A. refuses to scrub the bathtub
B. won’t scrub the bathtub
C. scrub the bathtub

4. When Diane takes her Chihuahua for a walk, it enjoys sniffing for edible garbage,
______, and lunging at squirrels.
A. howls at bicyclists
B. howling at bicyclists
C. she howls at bicyclists

5. After Amanda cashes her paycheck, the money goes to her savings account, college fund,
and ______.
A. paying her credit card bill
B. toward her credit card balance
C. credit card balance

6. In preparation for her run, Alicia ________, applied sunscreen, and increased the volume
on her iPod.
A. tightened her shoelaces
B. was tightening her shoelaces
C. did tighten her shoelaces
Task 3: Rewrite the following sentences to make them parallel. – past year mid-term question

1. Carlos not only missed his one-year anniversary with Adrianna but also forgetting his
mother’s birthday.

- Carlos not only missed one-year anniversary with Adrianna but also forgot his
mother’s birthday.

2. Baked tofu, vegetables steamed with no oil or seasoning, and decaffeinated tea do not
make a satisfying meal for Kevin as he is not a vegan.

- Baked tofu steamed vegetables with no oil or seasoning, and decaffeinated tea do
not make a satisfying meal for Kevin as he is not a vegan.

3. Ironing a clean shirt, the printout of a course schedule, and buying a pack of gum for
fresh breath were the tasks Abby completed before the first day of spring semester.

- Ironing a clean shirt, printing out of a course schedule, and buying a pack of gum
for fresh breath were the tasks Abby completed before the first day of spring
semester.

4. The cheerleader who flipped her hair, the athlete who blinked nervously, and the book
lover slouching in his seat would not share their algebra homework with Jake.

- The cheerleader who flipped her hair, the athlete who blinked nervously, and the
book lover who slouching in his seat would not share their algebra homework with
Jake.

5. The duties of a secretary include:

 Preparing board of directors meeting agenda with President.

 Attend the board meeting and take the minutes.
 Monthly committee reports’ collection.
 To file reports, memos and letters.

The duties of a secretary include:

 Preparing board of directors meeting agenda with President.

 AttendING the board meeting and taking the minutes.
 Collecting Monthly committee reports.
 Filling reports, memos and letters.