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Difficulty: Very hardSubject-Verb Agreement

The following passage is an excerpt from an essay about art conservation:

"The preservation of historical landmarks often requires a delicate balance between authenticity and safety. During the recent renovation of the ancient cathedral, a team of specialized conservators was tasked with stabilizing the crumbling facade. The integrity of the stained-glass windows, which date back to the twelfth century and represent some of the finest examples of Gothic art in the region, are a primary concern for the preservationists. They must ensure that the delicate leading holding the glass panes together is not compromised during the structural reinforcements."

Which of the following options is the correct replacement for the underlined word "are"?

  1. A
    NO CHANGE
  2. isAnswer
  3. C
    were
  4. D
    was

Answer

is
The singular verb 'is' correctly agrees with the singular subject 'integrity' and maintains the present tense established in the surrounding context.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the grammatical subject of the clause containing the underlined verb.
The subject is the singular noun 'integrity.' The plural nouns 'windows' and 'examples' are objects within intervening prepositional phrases and relative clauses ('of the stained-glass windows, which date back to the twelfth century and represent some of the finest examples of Gothic art in the region') and do not affect the verb's agreement.
A verb must agree in number with its true grammatical subject, not with nouns inside modifying phrases or clauses.
2
Determine the appropriate number (singular or plural) for the verb.
Since 'integrity' is singular, the verb must be singular. This eliminates the plural forms 'are' (NO CHANGE) and 'were.'
Singular subjects require singular verbs.
3
Analyze the tense of the surrounding sentences to ensure consistency.
The passage discusses general principles ('requires') and ongoing concerns ('must ensure', 'is not compromised') in the present tense. Therefore, the verb must be in the present tense ('is'), which eliminates the past-tense form 'was.'
Verb tenses must remain consistent unless there is a logical reason to shift tenses.

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Agreement
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Topics

Subject-Verb Agreement

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