Grade 7 Modifiers & Parallelism worksheet

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How to explain it

  1. Put a describing phrase right next to the word it describes.
  2. A dangling modifier has nothing in the sentence to describe: “Baking cookies, the kitchen smelled good.” (The kitchen wasn’t baking.)
  3. Parallel structure: items in a list use the same form, like drawing, painting and building.

Example: Make the list parallel: “Amir loves drawing, to paint and building models.” Two items end in -ing; “to paint” doesn’t match. Change it to “painting.” Answer: Amir loves drawing, painting and building models.

  1. Question 1

    Which revision makes the sentence parallel?

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

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

  2. Question 2

    Which revision fixes the misplaced modifier?

    We saw a moose driving to the cabin.

    • A moose driving to the cabin was seen by us.
    • While driving to the cabin, we saw a moose.
    • Driving to the cabin, a moose was seen.
    • We saw a moose that was driving to the cabin.

  3. Question 3

    Which sentence has a dangling modifier?

    • The noise was deafening as we walked into the gym.
    • Walking into the gym, we heard deafening noise.
    • Walking into the gym, the noise was deafening.
    • As we walked into the gym, the noise was deafening.

  4. Question 4

    Which sentence uses parallel structure?

    • At camp, we swam, hiked and went canoeing.
    • At camp, we swam, hiked and canoed.
    • At camp, we went swimming, hiked and to canoe.
    • At camp, we swam, were hiking and canoed.

  5. Question 5

    Which revision makes the list parallel?

    The job requires patience, creativity and being on time.

    • The job requires patience, creativity and punctuality.
    • The job requires being patient, creativity and punctuality.
    • The job requires patience, being creative and on time.

  6. Question 6

    Who or what does “Tired from practice” describe?

    Tired from practice, the players headed home.

    • practice
    • headed
    • the players

  7. Question 7

    Who or what does “Covered in frosting” describe?

    Covered in frosting, the birthday cake sat on the counter.

    • the counter
    • sat
    • the birthday cake

  8. Question 8

    Who or what does “Exhausted after the long hike” describe?

    Exhausted after the long hike, the campers fell asleep quickly.

    • asleep
    • the long hike
    • quickly
    • the campers

  9. Question 9

    Which revision fixes the dangling modifier?

    While brushing my teeth, the doorbell rang.

    • While brushing my teeth, the doorbell was ringing.
    • The doorbell rang while brushing my teeth.
    • While I was brushing my teeth, the doorbell rang.
    • Brushing my teeth, the doorbell rang loudly.

  10. Question 10

    Which sentence means that Kenji was the one person who passed the test?

    • Kenji passed only the test.
    • Only Kenji passed the test.
    • Kenji only passed the test.
    • Kenji passed the test only.

Answer key

  1. 1. The coach told us to stretch, to drink water and to rest.
  2. 2. While driving to the cabin, we saw a moose.
  3. 3. Walking into the gym, the noise was deafening.
  4. 4. At camp, we swam, hiked and canoed.
  5. 5. The job requires patience, creativity and punctuality.
  6. 6. the players
  7. 7. the birthday cake
  8. 8. the campers
  9. 9. While I was brushing my teeth, the doorbell rang.
  10. 10. Only Kenji passed the test.

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