16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardParallel structure with longer items

Standard English Conventions practice question

The report recommends increasing funding for after-school programs, hiring additional counselors, and ____.

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

  1. A. expanding the tutoring program to every gradeCorrect
  2. B. to expand the tutoring program to every grade
  3. C. that the tutoring program be expanded to every grade
  4. D. an expansion of the tutoring program to every grade

Answer: A. expanding the tutoring program to every grade

The first two recommendations are -ing phrases: 'increasing funding' and 'hiring additional counselors'. The third must match that form: 'expanding the tutoring program'.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. to expand the tutoring program to every grade
An infinitive ('to expand') breaks the pattern of -ing phrases that the series has established.
C. that the tutoring program be expanded to every grade
A 'that' clause is a different structure again. All three items in the list should be built the same way.
D. an expansion of the tutoring program to every grade
'an expansion' is a noun phrase, not an -ing verb phrase like the other two items.

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