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Question

Difficulty: EasySubject-Verb Agreement

Read the passage below about ancient Roman engineering:

In the heart of Rome, the structural integrity of ancient domes continues to fascinate modern engineers. While many of these concrete structures have weathered centuries of environmental stress, a network of underground chambers are still being excavated by archaeologists. This ongoing project reveals the sophisticated construction techniques used by Roman builders.

Which of the following choices represents the correct form of the underlined verb?

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

Answer

is
The correct answer is the singular verb 'is' because the subject of the clause is 'a network', which is singular. The prepositional phrase 'of underground chambers' separates the subject from the verb but does not change the subject's singular number. Additionally, 'is' maintains the present tense established by 'continues' and 'reveals' in the surrounding sentences.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the subject of the clause containing the underlined verb.
The subject of the clause is 'a network', which is a singular collective noun. The phrase 'of underground chambers' is a prepositional phrase modifying 'network' and does not affect the number of the verb.
Finding the true subject is the first step in resolving subject-verb agreement errors.
2
Select the verb form that agrees with the singular subject and matches the tense of the surrounding context.
The singular present-tense verb 'is' agrees with the singular subject 'network' and maintains the present tense used throughout the passage ('continues', 'have weathered', 'reveals').
The verb must match the subject in number (singular) and fit the passage's established tense (present).

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Agreement
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Subject-Verb Agreement

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