Subject-verb Agreement Test No 5

Choose the correct option of the following:

1. Everyone who _____ Singapore is impressed by its cleanliness.  

A) visit  
B) visits 
C) visiting
D) have visited  

ANSWER= (B)   
Explanation:  Everyone is a singular subject, 'visits' is a singular verb here.   

2. Keeping your room unclutured _____ easy when you make a habit to keep it so.

A) are easy  
B) is easy 
C) easy
D) be easy

ANSWER= (B)   
Explanation: A singular phrase needs a singular verb.    

The Self-Assessment Test of Parts of Speech

3. A pair of supportive shoes ____ important if you are experiencing lower back pain. 

A) are    
B) is 
C) am 
D) were

ANSWER= (B)  
Explanation:   A pair is a singular subject, and it needs a singular verb,    

4. Each of his other redeeming qualities ____ by the fact that his friends are not very skilled.    

A) compensate  
B) compensating
C) compensates 
D) to compensate

ANSWER= (C)  
Explanation:   Third Each is a singular indefinite pronoun and needs a singular verb, 'compensates'   

5. The historians explore that there ____ either the Huns or the Mongol tribe who were considered to be the best horsemen. 

A) was  
B) been 
C) be 
D) were 

ANSWER= (D)  
Explanation:   The verb nearest to the pair (either ... or) is used accordingly 

6. An acquaintance with the memories of Elizabeth Barett Browing and Robert Browing  ___ us to appreciate them. 

A) enable
B) enables
C) enabling
D) be enable

ANSWER= (B)  
Explanation:   "An acquaintance' is a singular subject, so a singular verb, 'enables' is used.   

7. Relying on the meager budget ____ insufficient to achieve the set goals. 

A) are 
B) being 
C) were 
D) is

ANSWER= (D) 
Explanation:    'Relying ' is a singular subject, so it needs a singular verb, 'is' 

8. Eat, drink, and be merry" is a label associated with Greek philosopher Epicurus, but like most catchy slogans, ____ what is actually a rich and complex message.  

A) it simplifies 
B) they simplify
C) are simplify
D) is simplify

ANSWER= (A)  
Explanation:    Here slogans can mislead you but the sentence speaks of a single slogan of 'eat, drink, and be merry'. 

9. After hours of futile debate, the committee ____ to postpone further discussion of the resolution until its next meeting. 

A) have decided
B) has decided 
C) is decided 
D) are decided

ANSWER= (B)  
Explanation:    'Committee' is a singular subject here, so a singular verb, 'has decided' is required.   

10. The cast ____ the success of the play with a party after the performance. 

A) are celebrating 
B) is celebrating 
C) were celebrating
D) have celebarated

ANSWER= (B)  
Explanation:   'Cast' is here a collective noun and functions as a singular subject. 

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11. The cast ____ their lines for the final performance in the hall. 

A) is practising 
B) was practising
C) are practising 
D) is practised

ANSWER= (C)  
Explanation:    Here 'cast' collective noun functioning as plural subject, so the verb is a plural

12. One of the best ways to prepare for a career in journalism ____ an informed citizen by reading a vaiety of newspapers daily.  

A) is become  
B) are to become
C) is to become 
D) are become

ANSWER= (C)  
Explanation:   'One' is a singular subject here. 

13. Originally, Denium jeans ____ not so much as a fashion statement as for their being practical work clothes. 

A) has been worn  
B) was worn
C) is worn
D) were worn

ANSWER= (D)  
Explanation:    Trousers, jeans, glasses, etc. take a plural verb.

14. An amount $100,000 ____ within a year on this project. 

A) have been spent  
B) were spent
C) has been spent
D) be spent

ANSWER= (C)  
Explanation:  'An amount', or a 'distance', needs a singular verb.   

15. Police often ____ on the side of roads to stop people from speeding. 

A) waits  
B) wait
C) waiting
D) to wait

ANSWER= (B)  
Explanation:     'police' is a plural noun stands for policemen. 

16. All that glitters ____ not gold. 

A) is 
B) are 
C) be 
D) being 

ANSWER= (A)  
Explanation:     All that glitters is not gold. 

17. It is reported that all but one ship ____ sunk.  

A) were 
B) was
C) be 
D) been

ANSWER= (B)  
Explanation:   Singular noun is used with 'one ship'

18.  No matter what type of fungi ____ the science teacher explained.   

A) it were
B) they are
C) it is 
D) they is

ANSWER= (C)  
Explanation:   Type is a singular noun with a plural noun 'fungi' is a plural form of 'fungus' 

19.  Pollution and degradation of the environment ____ to the commission's report, a matter of universal concern.   

A) are according
B) is according
C) being according
D) been according

ANSWER= (B)  
Explanation:     'Pollution and degradation' is an idea   

20. In the fine print at the end of the document like the clauses that _____ us liable for any expenses that result from civil unrest.  

A) makes   
B) making
C) to make
D) make

ANSWER= (D)  
Explanation:   'clauses' is a plural noun, it takes a plural noun, 'make'