Making both halves of a sentence match — and comparing two things properly.
How this drill works, and why it is built this way›
When you join items with and, or, than, both…and, not only…but also or neither…nor, every item must have the same shape.
This fault survives every read-through, because each half is good English on its own. Only the pair is wrong.
A comparison must compare like with like. The climate of Delhi is hotter than Shimla compares a climate with a city.
Check comparisons twice: once for the shape, once for what is actually being compared. Most students only check the first.
Worked example
The course teaches students to plan an essay, writing clearly, and how to check their own work.
Three items, three different shapes.
Answer: to plan · to write · to check
The three items after teaches students should match: to plan, to write, to check. Instead the sentence gives an infinitive, an -ing form and a question phrase. The point: list the items under each other. If they do not look alike, they are not parallel.
Moderate · CEFR B1around band 5 – 5.5change level:
The drill moves you up or down on its own. Two good sets and it gets harder; two hard ones and it steps back.
The band range is what this level practises for — it is a guide, not a score. Only your first answer to each item counts towards the level decision.
Your answers and explanations open after the set is complete, the attempt is saved and your email is verified.
