16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsHardParallel structure in a list of gerunds

Standard English Conventions practice question

The programme covers planting, ____ and harvesting the crop.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. irrigating,Correct
  2. B. to irrigate,
  3. C. irrigation,
  4. D. how to irrigate,

Answer: A. irrigating,

'Planting, irrigating, and harvesting': parallel gerunds.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. to irrigate,
'To irrigate' breaks the gerund series.
C. irrigation,
'Irrigation' is a noun that doesn't match the -ing verbs.
D. how to irrigate,
'How to irrigate' is a clause fragment that breaks the series.

More Standard English Conventions questions

Not affiliated with the College Board. SAT is a trademark of the College Board.