Formal Statements with Parallel Structure

Study the questions and tasks

Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.

Practice level

C1. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.

Question formats

Sentence reordering

How to approach this practice

Read the complete context. Check both the meaning and the grammar, including word forms, collocations and links between sentences.

1. Question 1 · Sentence reordering

   Arrange these parts into the correct sentence.

   Put the chunks in order to make one complete sentence. Keep the capitalised opening first and the punctuated ending last.

   Sentence parts

   • The review
   • aims
   • and to recommend improvements.
   • to explain their causes
   • to identify weaknesses,
   Check answers and explanations

   Correct order

   The review aims to identify weaknesses, to explain their causes and to recommend improvements.

   The three purposes are parallel to-infinitives.

2. Question 2 · Sentence reordering

   Arrange these parts into the correct sentence.

   Put the chunks in order to make one complete sentence. Keep the capitalised opening first and the punctuated ending last.

   Sentence parts

   • The proposal
   • but also
   • is
   • not only financially viable
   • socially defensible.
   Check answers and explanations

   Correct order

   The proposal is not only financially viable but also socially defensible.

   Not only...but also coordinates parallel adjective phrases.

3. Question 3 · Sentence reordering

   Arrange these parts into the correct sentence.

   Put the chunks in order to make one complete sentence. Keep the capitalised opening first and the punctuated ending last.

   Sentence parts

   • We
   • and
   • between what is desirable
   • must distinguish
   • what is achievable.
   Check answers and explanations

   Correct order

   We must distinguish between what is desirable and what is achievable.

   Between...and coordinates two parallel what-clauses.

4. Question 4 · Sentence reordering

   Arrange these parts into the correct sentence.

   Put the chunks in order to make one complete sentence. Keep the capitalised opening first and the punctuated ending last.

   Sentence parts

   • The committee
   • and
   • considered both
   • the costs of action
   • the risks of delay.
   Check answers and explanations

   Correct order

   The committee considered both the costs of action and the risks of delay.

   Both...and coordinates parallel noun phrases.

5. Question 5 · Sentence reordering

   Arrange these parts into the correct sentence.

   Put the chunks in order to make one complete sentence. Keep the capitalised opening first and the punctuated ending last.

   Sentence parts

   • The aim
   • compromising reliability.
   • is
   • to improve access
   • without
   Check answers and explanations

   Correct order

   The aim is to improve access without compromising reliability.

   The infinitive purpose is qualified by without plus ing.

6. Question 6 · Sentence reordering

   Arrange these parts into the correct sentence.

   Put the chunks in order to make one complete sentence. Keep the capitalised opening first and the punctuated ending last.

   Sentence parts

   • The decision
   • and whether
   • capacity can be expanded.
   • depends on
   • whether demand increases
   Check answers and explanations

   Correct order

   The decision depends on whether demand increases and whether capacity can be expanded.

   Parallel whether-clauses form the complement of depends on.

7. Question 7 · Sentence reordering

   Arrange these parts into the correct sentence.

   Put the chunks in order to make one complete sentence. Keep the capitalised opening first and the punctuated ending last.

   Sentence parts

   • We
   • and publishing our reasoning.
   • are committed
   • consulting affected groups
   • to reviewing the evidence,
   Check answers and explanations

   Correct order

   We are committed to reviewing the evidence, consulting affected groups and publishing our reasoning.

   Committed to takes the three coordinated ing phrases.

8. Question 8 · Sentence reordering

   Arrange these parts into the correct sentence.

   Put the chunks in order to make one complete sentence. Keep the capitalised opening first and the punctuated ending last.

   Sentence parts

   • The report
   • addresses
   • but
   • not the existence of the problem
   • the adequacy of the response.
   Check answers and explanations

   Correct order

   The report addresses not the existence of the problem but the adequacy of the response.

   Not...but coordinates two parallel noun phrases.

9. Question 9 · Sentence reordering

   Arrange these parts into the correct sentence.

   Put the chunks in order to make one complete sentence. Keep the capitalised opening first and the punctuated ending last.

   Sentence parts

   • The process
   • and proportionate in its demands.
   • consistent in its application
   • should be
   • transparent in its methods,
   Check answers and explanations

   Correct order

   The process should be transparent in its methods, consistent in its application and proportionate in its demands.

   Three parallel adjective-plus-preposition phrases describe the process.

10. Question 10 · Sentence reordering

    Arrange these parts into the correct sentence.

    Put the chunks in order to make one complete sentence. Keep the capitalised opening first and the punctuated ending last.

    Sentence parts

    • The task
    • and independent verification.
    • careful planning,
    • clear communication
    • requires
    Check answers and explanations

    Correct order

    The task requires careful planning, clear communication and independent verification.

    The three coordinated noun phrases are the objects of requires.

What to review next

Explain why each answer fits the meaning and structure. Record useful phrases and write a new example using each pattern you found difficult.

A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.