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Question

Difficulty: Very hardParallel Structure

The following segments can be assembled to form a sentence about the qualities of a diplomat. Arrange the segments to show a progression of traits from tactical skill (negotiation), to strategic adaptability (shifting alliances), and finally to long-term foresight (resolving disputes). In what order should these segments be arranged to construct a grammatically correct sentence that maintains parallel structure?

  1. 1The foreign ministry's report concluded that a successful diplomatic envoy must possess
  2. 2the ability to negotiate complex treaties under intense pressure,
  3. 3the willingness to adapt to shifting political alliances at a moment's notice,
  4. 4and the wisdom to resolve long-standing disputes through strategic compromise.

Answer

The correct order starts with the main independent clause introducing the envoy's traits, followed by the noun phrase for tactical negotiation ability, then the parallel noun phrase detailing willingness to adapt to shifting alliances, and concludes with the parallel noun phrase regarding wisdom to resolve disputes.
The correct order starts with the main independent clause, followed by the three parallel noun phrases in the specified logical order: 'the ability to negotiate...' (tactical skill), 'the willingness to adapt...' (strategic adaptability), and 'and the wisdom to resolve...' (foresight). The coordinating conjunction 'and' correctly signals the final item in the parallel sequence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the main independent clause that establishes the subject and main verb of the sentence.
The segment beginning with 'The foreign ministry's report concluded...' is placed first.
This segment contains the main subject and the governing verb 'must possess', which requires direct objects to follow.
2
Identify the first parallel direct object based on the ordering criteria of tactical negotiation skill.
The segment 'the ability to negotiate complex treaties under intense pressure,' is placed second.
This matches the tactical skill requirement and begins the parallel list with the structure: noun ('ability') + infinitive phrase ('to negotiate...').
3
Identify the second parallel direct object based on the ordering criteria of strategic adaptability.
The segment 'the willingness to adapt to shifting political alliances at a moment's notice,' is placed third.
This matches the strategic adaptability requirement and maintains the parallel structure: noun ('willingness') + infinitive phrase ('to adapt...').
4
Identify the final parallel direct object that concludes the list.
The segment 'and the wisdom to resolve long-standing disputes through strategic compromise.' is placed fourth.
This matches the foresight requirement, maintains the parallel structure: noun ('wisdom') + infinitive phrase ('to resolve...'), and uses the coordinating conjunction 'and' to indicate the end of the series.

Key Concept

Parallel structure requires that coordinate elements in a series or list share the same grammatical form. In this sentence, the governing verb 'must possess' is followed by a parallel series of direct object noun phrases, each structured as 'the [noun] + [infinitive phrase] + [prepositional phrase]'.
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Parallel Structure

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