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Grade 7 · English Language Arts · Unit 7 of 10

Modifiers & Parallelism

Clear, balanced sentences

What your child practises

Revising sentences so describing phrases sit next to what they describe (no misplaced or dangling modifiers) and list items match in form (parallel structure).

BC Curriculum learning standard: Language features, structures and conventions: placement of modifiers and parallel structure; writing processes (revising sentences for clarity)

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    Which sentence uses parallel structure?

    • Noah likes reading, writing stories and to play chess.
    • Noah likes reading, to write stories and playing chess.
    • Noah likes to read, writing stories and playing chess.
    • Noah likes reading, writing stories and playing chess.
    Show answer

    Noah likes reading, writing stories and playing chess.

    Hint: Items in a list should share the same form. Find the sentence where all three activities are -ing words.

  2. Question 2

    Which revision makes the sentence parallel?

    The coach told us to stretch, to drink water and that we should rest.

    • The coach told us to stretch, to drink water and to rest.
    • The coach told us stretching, to drink water and that we should rest.
    • The coach told us to stretch, drinking water and to rest.
    Show answer

    The coach told us to stretch, to drink water and to rest.

    Hint: Make every item in the list match: to stretch, to drink, to…

  3. Question 3

    Which revision makes the sentence parallel?

    Zoe would rather read a book than watching TV.

    • Zoe would rather read a book than to watching TV.
    • Zoe would rather reading a book than watch TV.
    • Zoe would rather read a book than watch TV.
    Show answer

    Zoe would rather read a book than watch TV.

    Hint: Both sides of “than” should match: read… watch.

  4. Question 4

    Which revision fixes the misplaced modifier?

    Jay put the cake on the table that he baked.

    • That he baked, Jay put the cake on the table.
    • Jay put the cake that he baked on the table.
    • Jay put the cake on the table, that he baked.
    Show answer

    Jay put the cake that he baked on the table.

    Hint: Jay baked the cake, not the table. Place “that he baked” right after “cake.”

  5. Question 5

    Which sentence has a dangling modifier?

    • Hoping to win, the practice lasted three hours.
    • The team practised for three hours because they hoped to win.
    • Hoping to win, the team practised for three hours.
    • Because the team hoped to win, practice lasted three hours.
    Show answer

    Hoping to win, the practice lasted three hours.

    Hint: Ask who is “hoping to win.” A practice can't hope! The doer is missing from that sentence.

  6. Question 6

    Which revision fixes the misplaced modifier?

    Leo bought a bike from a neighbour with a squeaky bell.

    • Leo, with a squeaky bell, bought a bike from a neighbour.
    • Leo bought a bike with a squeaky bell from a neighbour.
    • With a squeaky bell, Leo bought a bike from a neighbour.
    Show answer

    Leo bought a bike with a squeaky bell from a neighbour.

    Hint: Does the neighbour have the squeaky bell, or the bike? Move the modifier next to the word it describes.

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