Hypotaxis and Parataxis: Quiz 1

Please determine if the following passage is predominantly hypotactic or paratactic. If you want extra practice, see if you can rewrite each passage using the opposite style (e.g., make a hypotactic passage paratactic).

My teacher called Mahatma Gandhi a mystic—a super-calloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis. No one laughed, however, since at the time none of us had seen Mary Poppins or had heard of Mahatma Gandhi. Yet we did know what halitosis was because our teacher, who smoked a pack of cigarettes every day, had explained to us why his breath stank so badly.

Please determine if the following passage is predominantly hypotactic or paratactic.

Lately I’ve been keeping a diary. Every day I write down three things I enjoyed and three things I hated. It is a great way to clear my mind. Before, I would brood about things incessantly. Now I just let it all go and start fresh. You should try it.

Please determine if the following passage is predominantly hypotactic or paratactic.

The worst kind of tradition is one that cares little about history. Even those who like to point out that history repeats itself demonstrate only a very shallow understanding of the past. They point to broad patterns and look for clear examples. Moreover, they ignore the contradictions, the stubborn differences between past and present, and the fact that the first lesson of history is to have some modicum of humility about our ability to fully comprehend the complexity of history.

Please determine if the following passage is predominantly hypotactic or paratactic.

Ilse loved watching documentaries about various eccentric New York personalities. Her favourite was called Frida’s Locks, and it was about a hair salon stylist who collected bicycle locks. She had hundreds of locks in her apartment, many of them stolen. The highlight of her collection was a classic 1999 Rastafarian “Dreadlock.”

Please determine if the following passage is predominantly hypotactic or paratactic.

Here’s your Gemini horoscope. While you may experience some nightmares, your day dreams will become a reality. A special someone you’ve long admired will take an interest in you, which may raise your blood pressure and may cause some heart palpitations, but should not lead to a stroke unless you are no longer eligible for life insurance. In that case, there is little to hope for.

Please determine if the following passage is predominantly hypotactic or paratactic.

Wurthering Heights is a new low for Heath Studios. The film starts with passionate intensity, but soon degenerates into a documentary about life on the moor. Whether the focus is on heather or on the weather, one never gets the sense that the producers were serious about making a romantic movie. In the end, although a wether may be a symbol for some kind of frustrated masculinity, I wasn’t interested in animal husbandry. I wanted some real passion and love.

Please determine if the following passage is predominantly hypotactic or paratactic.

My friend Martin rarely smiles. He claims that he doesn’t have a funny bone in his body. Of course, when he says stuff like that he’s just pulling your leg. He is very funny. Look closely and you’ll see a twinkle in his eye.

Please determine if the following passage is predominantly hypotactic or paratactic.

Once, when the power went out and we only had flashlights and candles, my father proposed that we pass the time by reading books. This was a novelty for our family, for though we owned a collection of hard and soft covers, our book shelves were mostly for show, in case some of our literary relatives came over.

Please determine if the following passage is predominantly hypotactic or paratactic.

In my experience, most undergraduate students have only the haziest idea of what grad school entails. They suspect that grad students simply take more courses, do a bunch of experiments, or write long papers. In their minds, grad school is more of the same thing, but with a bit of added difficulty. Not surprisingly, then, they wonder why anyone would sign up for another degree, especially if they can get a good job making decent money.

Please determine if the following passage is predominantly hypotactic or paratactic.

The government has recently started to crack down on jaywalking. MP Simon Jones explained the reason for the new laws. According to Jones, jaywalking is a sign of how lazy our culture has become. People can’t be bothered to walk to the nearest crosswalk. Our young people care only for themselves. That’s why the new laws are necessary.