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Subject-Verb Agreement

70 questions

All types70Multiple choice37Fill in the blank33
Question 21Question →

Which form of the verb 'have' correctly completes the sentence to ensure proper subject-verb agreement?

Fill in the blanks below

Each of the sourdough loaves in the brick oven a crisp, golden crust.
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Answer

has
The correct answer is 'has'. The subject of the sentence is the singular indefinite pronoun 'Each'. The intervening prepositional phrase 'of the sourdough loaves in the brick oven' contains plural nouns, but it does not affect the number of the subject. A singular subject requires the singular verb form 'has'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the grammatical subject of the sentence.
The subject is the indefinite pronoun 'Each', which is singular.
Prepositional phrases like 'of the sourdough loaves' that follow the subject do not change its number.
2
Select the correct form of the verb 'have' that agrees with a singular subject in the present tense.
The singular present-tense form of 'have' is 'has'.
A singular subject requires a singular verb form to maintain agreement.

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns
Question 22Question →

The behavior of these deep-sea organisms, including the bioluminescent lanternfish that inhabit the midnight zone, remain a mystery to marine biologists. Research expeditions continue to discover new species in these extreme environments.

Which of the following choices is the grammatically correct replacement for the underlined portion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: remains

Answer

remains
The singular verb 'remains' correctly agrees with the singular subject 'behavior'. The intervening prepositional phrase 'of these deep-sea organisms' and the parenthetical element 'including the bioluminescent lanternfish that inhabit the midnight zone' contain plural nouns ('organisms', 'lanternfish') but do not alter the singular nature of the subject.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the true grammatical subject of the sentence by stripping away intervening prepositional and parenthetical phrases.
The subject is the singular noun 'behavior' (from 'The behavior of these deep-sea organisms...').
Identifying the true subject prevents matching the verb to distraction nouns like 'organisms' or 'lanternfish'.
2
Determine the correct number (singular or plural) for the verb to match the subject.
Since the subject 'behavior' is singular, the verb must be singular.
Subject-verb agreement requires a singular subject to take a singular verb.
3
Check the surrounding context to determine the appropriate tense.
The context is in the present tense (e.g., 'continue' in the next sentence), so the verb should be in the present tense ('remains').
This avoids unnecessary or illogical tense shifts.

Key Concept

Subject-verb agreement requires a verb to agree in number with its subject, even when separated by intervening prepositional phrases, appositives, or parenthetical information.
Question 23Question →

For centuries, astronomers have looked to the night sky to understand the universe. The main mirror of the giant telescopes need to be cleaned regularly to prevent dust from blocking faint starlight.

Which option is the correct form of the underlined verb to ensure proper subject-verb agreement?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: needs

Answer

The correct form is the singular verb 'needs' to agree with the singular subject 'mirror'.
The subject of the sentence is the singular noun 'mirror.' The prepositional phrase 'of the giant telescopes' separates the subject from the verb but does not change the subject's number. Therefore, a singular verb is required. The verb 'needs' is the correct singular form that matches the subject in the present tense.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the subject of the sentence containing the underlined verb.
The subject is the singular noun 'mirror'. The phrase 'of the giant telescopes' is a prepositional phrase that modifies the subject but does not change its number.
Verbs must agree with their grammatical subject, not with nouns inside modifying prepositional phrases.
2
Determine the correct verb form that agrees with the singular subject in the present tense.
The singular form of the verb in the simple present tense is 'needs'.
A singular subject requires a singular verb.

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Agreement with Intervening Phrases
Estimated Time:45s
Question 24Question →

What is the correct present-tense form of the verb remain that should fill the blank to maintain proper subject-verb agreement?

Fill in the blanks below

Deep within the vault of the national archives, alongside the treaties and diplomatic correspondence from the turn of the century, the original diaries of the lead negotiator.
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Answer

remain
The correct answer is the plural verb 'remain' because the true subject of the verb is the plural noun 'diaries.' In this inverted sentence, the verb precedes the subject. Nouns in the preceding prepositional phrases, such as 'negotiator,' 'correspondence,' or 'century,' are singular but do not affect the agreement, as they are not the subject of the clause.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Locate the subject of the verb in the sentence.
The subject is 'the original diaries of the lead negotiator,' which follows the verb in this inverted sentence structure.
Inverted sentences place the subject after the verb, making it crucial to look past preceding prepositional phrases to find the true subject.
2
Determine the grammatical number of the head noun of the subject.
The head noun is 'diaries,' which is plural.
The number of the head noun determines whether the verb must be singular or plural.
3
Select the correct present-tense form of the verb 'remain' that matches the plural subject.
The plural present-tense form is 'remain' (not the singular 'remains').
A plural subject requires a plural verb to maintain proper subject-verb agreement.

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Agreement
Question 25Question →

Read the sentence and determine the correct present-tense form of the verb "to be" that completes the sentence with proper subject-verb agreement.

Fill in the blanks below

The main ingredient in these classic recipes butter, which gives the pastry its flaky texture.
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Answer

is
The singular verb "is" correctly agrees with the singular subject "ingredient." The intervening prepositional phrase "in these classic recipes" does not affect the subject's number.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the simple subject of the sentence.
The subject is the singular noun "ingredient."
The prepositional phrase "in these classic recipes" modifies the subject but does not change its number.
2
Determine the singular present-tense form of the verb "to be" that agrees with the singular subject.
The correct singular form is "is."
A singular subject requires a singular verb ("is").

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Agreement
Question 26Question →

The following passage is an excerpt from an essay about ancient agricultural systems.

[1] In the remote regions of the Andes, a system of agricultural terraces built by the Incas still functions today. [2] Behind the longevity of these structures, which endure harsh seasonal changes and frequent seismic activity, stands the sophisticated engineering principles of ancient builders. [3] By managing water runoff and soil erosion, these terraces prevent landslides and ensure consistent crop yields.

Which of the following choices is the correct option for the underlined portion in Sentence 2?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: stand

Answer

The correct choice is 'stand', which is a plural, present-tense verb that agrees with the plural subject 'principles'.
The correct choice is the plural verb 'stand' because the sentence uses an inverted structure where the verb precedes the subject. The subject of this clause is the plural noun 'principles,' not the singular noun 'longevity' or the plural noun 'structures' found in the introductory phrase. To maintain proper subject-verb agreement, the plural verb 'stand' must be used. Additionally, this present-tense form is consistent with the surrounding present-tense verbs 'functions,' 'endure,' 'prevent,' and 'ensure' in the passage.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the subject of the verb in the underlined portion.
The sentence has an inverted structure where the verb precedes the subject. The actual subject is the plural noun phrase 'the sophisticated engineering principles.'
In inverted sentences, the subject appears after the verb, so locating it is necessary to determine the correct singular or plural form.
2
Analyze the tense of the surrounding context.
The surrounding verbs ('functions,' 'endure,' 'prevent,' and 'ensure') are all in the present-tense.
Verb tense must remain consistent throughout the passage unless there is a logical reason to shift tenses.
3
Evaluate the options to find the plural, present-tense verb form.
The option 'stand' is plural and in the present tense, which correctly agrees with the plural subject 'principles' and maintains tense consistency.
Matching both agreement and tense consistency resolves the error without introducing new issues.

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Agreement in Inverted Sentences
Question 27Question →

The following passage contains an underlined portion.

Although many people believe that writing a novel is a solitary endeavor, collaborative writing projects have become increasingly popular. A small group of dedicated authors write a single manuscript by dividing the chapters among themselves. This method allows them to combine their unique styles into a cohesive story.

Which choice best completes the sentence and maintains proper subject-verb agreement?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: writes

Answer

The correct answer is the singular verb 'writes'.
The correct choice is the singular verb 'writes'. The subject of the sentence is the singular collective noun 'group', not the plural noun 'authors' within the intervening prepositional phrase 'of dedicated authors'. A singular subject requires a singular verb, and since the passage is written in the present tense, 'writes' is the correct form.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the subject of the sentence containing the underlined verb.
The subject is 'group' (specifically, 'A small group'), which is a singular collective noun.
To ensure proper subject-verb agreement, the verb must match the number of the true subject, not the plural noun 'authors' inside the prepositional phrase 'of dedicated authors'.
2
Determine the correct verb form that agrees with the singular subject and matches the tense of the passage.
The singular present-tense verb 'writes' matches the singular subject 'group' and aligns with the present-tense verbs ('believe', 'have become', 'allows') used throughout the passage.
This resolves the subject-verb agreement error without introducing tense inconsistency.

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Agreement with Intervening Phrases
Question 28Question →

The sentence below describes a historical discovery. Which form of the present-tense verb 'to illustrate' correctly completes the sentence to maintain proper subject-verb agreement?

Fill in the blanks below

The collection of vintage maps in the archives the evolution of cartography over the centuries.
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Answer

illustrates
The correct verb form is 'illustrates' because the subject of the sentence is the singular noun 'collection'. Modifying prepositional phrases like 'of vintage maps' and 'in the archives' do not change the number of the subject. A singular subject requires the singular verb form 'illustrates'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the true grammatical subject of the sentence.
The subject of the sentence is the singular noun 'collection'.
The plural nouns 'maps' and 'archives' are the objects of the prepositional phrases 'of vintage maps' and 'in the archives' respectively, meaning they do not affect the number of the verb.
2
Determine the correct present-tense form of the verb 'to illustrate' that agrees with the singular subject.
The correct verb form is 'illustrates'.
A singular subject ('collection') requires a singular verb form ('illustrates') in the present tense.

Key Concept

Subject-verb agreement with intervening prepositional phrases
Question 29Question →

The passage below contains a blank where a verb should be. Read the passage and write the correct present-tense form of the verb 'to lie' that completes the sentence with proper subject-verb agreement.

Fill in the blanks below

In the heart of the ancient ruins, hidden beneath layers of volcanic ash and dense foliage, a collection of ceramic jars containing ancient scrolls.
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Answer

lies
The correct answer is 'lies'. The sentence is written in an inverted structure where the subject follows the verb. The grammatical subject is the singular noun 'collection'. Thus, the singular present-tense verb 'lies' is required to ensure correct subject-verb agreement.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the grammatical subject of the sentence.
The subject is the noun phrase 'a collection of ceramic jars containing ancient scrolls'.
This sentence uses an inverted structure where the verb precedes the subject. The introductory prepositional and participle phrases modify the setting, but the noun performing the action of 'lying' is 'collection'.
2
Determine the number of the subject's head noun.
The head noun 'collection' is singular.
Although the subject contains plural prepositional objects like 'jars' and 'scrolls', the head noun of the subject phrase is 'collection', which is singular.
3
Match the verb to the singular subject in the present tense.
The correct singular present-tense form of the verb 'to lie' is 'lies'.
A singular subject requires a singular verb to maintain proper subject-verb agreement.

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Agreement in Inverted Sentences
Question 30Question →

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?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: is

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
Question 31Question →

The passage below contains two blanks where verbs are missing. Write the correct present-tense form of the verb 'to reflect' for the first blank, and the correct present-tense form of the verb 'to be' for the second blank, ensuring proper subject-verb agreement throughout.

Fill in the blanks below

Acoustic archaeology, a field that combines physics and history, explores how ancient structures were built to manipulate sound. At the archaeological site of El Castillo, a pyramid in Mexico, the chirping echo of the quetzal bird, which is triggered by the handclaps of visitors standing at the base, the complex engineering of Mayan builders. Neither the height of the steps nor the orientation of the walls accidental; rather, each of these structural features was designed to achieve a specific acoustic effect.
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Answer

The first blank should be filled with 'reflects' and the second blank should be filled with 'is'.
The correct verb form for the first blank is 'reflects' because the head noun of the subject, 'echo', is singular. The long intervening phrase describing the visitors and handclaps does not affect the subject's grammatical number. The correct verb form for the second blank is 'is' because the correlative conjunction 'neither... nor' links two singular subjects ('height' and 'orientation'). In this structure, the verb agrees with the closer subject, which is the singular noun 'orientation'. The plural noun 'walls' is object of the preposition 'of' and does not influence the verb form.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the subject for the first blank.
The subject is 'the chirping echo', which is singular.
The long relative clause 'which is triggered by the handclaps of visitors standing at the base' contains plural nouns but is non-essential information separating the subject from the verb. The singular subject 'echo' requires the singular verb 'reflects'.
2
Identify the subject for the second blank.
The subject is joined by 'neither... nor', where both parts ('height' and 'orientation') are singular.
When subjects are joined by 'neither... nor', the verb must agree with the subject closest to it. Here, the closest subject is the singular noun 'orientation'. The plural noun 'walls' within the prepositional phrase 'of the walls' does not affect the verb, so the singular verb 'is' is required.

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Agreement with Intervening Clauses and Correlative Conjunctions
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Question 32Question →

In the excerpt below, a grammatical correction is needed to ensure proper sentence structure and agreement:

The revitalization of urban green spaces in the metropolitan area has shown clear benefits for local ecosystems. Every one of the community parks, which incorporate native wildflowers and nesting boxes for songbirds, help to sustain local pollinator populations during the dry summer months. Consequently, urban planners are seeking additional funding to expand the initiative.

Which option is the correct replacement for the underlined verb help?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: helps

Answer

helps
The correct option is 'helps' because it is a singular, present-tense verb that agrees with the singular subject 'Every one'. The intervening prepositional phrase and relative clause contain plural nouns, but they do not change the grammatical number of the subject.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Locate the subject of the sentence containing the underlined verb.
The subject is the singular pronoun phrase 'Every one'.
The prepositional phrase 'of the community parks' contains a plural noun, but it acts as a modifier and does not determine the number of the verb.
2
Identify any intervening clauses that separate the subject and verb.
The relative clause ', which incorporate native wildflowers and nesting boxes for songbirds,' contains multiple plural nouns.
Recognizing that these plural nouns are part of a non-essential clause prevents the mistake of aligning the verb with them instead of the subject.
3
Select the verb form that matches the subject in number and fits the tense of the passage.
The singular present-tense verb 'helps' matches the singular subject 'Every one' and maintains tense consistency with 'has shown' and 'are seeking'.
Subject-verb agreement requires a singular subject to take a singular verb, and the context requires keeping the present-tense timeline.

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Agreement
Question 33Question →

The following sentence contains a blank. Which present-tense form of the verb 'to be' correctly completes the sentence to maintain proper subject-verb agreement?

Fill in the blanks below

The instructions on the box clear and easy to follow.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

are
The plural subject 'instructions' requires the plural verb 'are'. The singular noun 'box' is part of a prepositional phrase ('on the box') and does not affect the verb agreement.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the subject of the sentence.
The subject is the plural noun 'instructions'.
The noun 'box' is part of the prepositional phrase 'on the box' and does not act as the subject of the sentence.
2
Determine the correct present-tense form of the verb 'to be' that agrees with the plural subject.
The correct form is 'are'.
A plural subject requires a plural verb ('are'), whereas a singular subject would require 'is'.

Key Concept

Subject-verb agreement requires a verb to agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject. Prepositional phrases placed between the subject and the verb do not change the number of the subject.
Estimated Time:45s
Question 34Question →

Under the guidance of the lead conductor, the complex orchestration of woodwinds, brass, and percussion require meticulous rehearsal to execute perfectly. The musicians must practice for hours each day to synchronize their timing before the opening night of the symphony.

Which choice best completes the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: requires

Answer

The correct option is the singular verb 'requires', which properly agrees with the singular subject 'orchestration'.
The singular verb 'requires' is correct because the subject of the clause is the singular noun 'orchestration'. The intervening prepositional phrase 'of woodwinds, brass, and percussion' contains plural nouns, but these do not change the number of the subject. Therefore, a singular verb is required to maintain subject-verb agreement.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the subject of the clause containing the underlined verb.
The subject is the singular noun 'orchestration'.
The verb must agree in number (singular or plural) with its grammatical subject.
2
Identify and disregard any intervening phrases between the subject and the verb.
The prepositional phrase 'of woodwinds, brass, and percussion' separates the subject from the verb but does not change the subject's singular number.
Nouns inside prepositional phrases or other modifier phrases do not act as the subject of the verb.
3
Select the verb form that is both singular and in the appropriate tense for the context.
The simple present singular form 'requires' is correct.
The surrounding context uses the present tense, so the verb must match both the singular number of the subject and the present tense of the passage.

Key Concept

Subject-verb agreement requires a verb to match the number of its subject, even when separated by intervening plural prepositional phrases.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 35Question →

A team of marine biologists is currently monitoring the health of the Great Barrier Reef. The sudden increase in temperature and salinity, along with the rising acidity of the ocean waters, have threatened the survival of these marine habitats. If these trends continue, the consequences will be devastating.

Which of the following options is the correct replacement for the underlined portion?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: has threatened

Answer

has threatened
The singular subject 'increase' requires a singular verb. The present perfect form 'has threatened' maintains grammatical agreement and matches the present-tense context of the surrounding sentences ('is currently monitoring', 'continue').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the true subject of the verb in the sentence.
The subject is the singular noun 'increase'.
The noun phrase 'in temperature and salinity' is a prepositional phrase, and the phrase 'along with the rising acidity of the ocean waters' is a parenthetical modifier. Neither of these changes the singular nature of the subject.
2
Determine the correct verb number (singular or plural).
A singular verb is required to agree with 'increase'.
Subject-verb agreement requires a singular subject to pair with a singular verb form.
3
Analyze the tense of the surrounding context to ensure consistency.
The present perfect tense 'has threatened' is correct.
The passage establishes a present time frame ('is currently monitoring', 'continue', 'will be'). The present perfect tense correctly links the past/ongoing action to the present situation without an unnecessary tense shift.

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Agreement
Question 36Question →

Read the following passage about textile conservation:

The delicate restoration of medieval tapestries, which involves stabilizing microscopic silk fibers and repairing dye degradation, demand decades of experience and specialized training. Conservators must work in climate-controlled rooms to prevent humidity from causing further decay to the historic threads.

Which option is the correct grammatical replacement for the underlined word?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: demands

Answer

The option 'demands' is correct because it uses the singular verb form to agree with the singular subject 'restoration'.
The singular verb 'demands' is correct because it agrees with the singular subject 'restoration'. The intervening prepositional phrase 'of medieval tapestries' and relative clause 'which involves...' do not change the number of the subject. The present tense maintains consistency with the next sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the true subject of the sentence containing the underlined verb.
The subject is 'restoration', which is singular.
The plural nouns 'tapestries', 'fibers', and 'degradation' are part of intervening prepositional phrases or relative clauses and do not affect the subject's grammatical number.
2
Determine the correct verb form and tense based on the subject and the surrounding context.
The verb must be singular ('demands') and in the present tense to match the surrounding sentence ('Conservators must work...').
Subject-verb agreement requires a singular verb for a singular subject, and verb tense consistency requires keeping the sentence in the present tense.

Key Concept

Subject-verb agreement with intervening phrases
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 37Question →

During the late nineteenth century, the introduction of electric lighting systems in theaters revolutionized stage production. The brilliance of these early incandescent lamps, which replaced hazardous gaslit systems, were praised by directors who sought to create more realistic atmospheres on stage.

Which choice best completes the underlined portion of the sentence?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: was praised

Answer

was praised
The true subject of the verb is the singular noun 'brilliance.' Intervening modifying structures, such as 'of these early incandescent lamps' and 'which replaced hazardous gaslit systems,' contain plural nouns but do not change the singular nature of the subject. A singular verb is required. Furthermore, because the passage details events of the late nineteenth century and consistently uses past-tense verbs ('revolutionized,' 'replaced,' 'sought'), the past-tense 'was praised' is the correct choice to maintain grammatical consistency.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Locate the true grammatical subject of the verb in the sentence.
The subject is the singular noun 'brilliance.' The plural nouns 'lamps' and 'systems' appear inside intervening prepositional and relative clauses and do not affect the verb's form.
A verb must agree in number with its subject, even when separated from it by intervening phrases.
2
Analyze the tense of the surrounding context.
The paragraph is written in the past tense, as indicated by the verbs 'revolutionized,' 'replaced,' and 'sought.'
Verb tenses must remain consistent throughout a passage unless there is a clear chronological shift.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the singular past-tense verb form.
The phrase 'was praised' is singular and past-tense, which satisfies both subject-verb agreement and tense consistency.
This is the only choice that resolves the agreement issue without introducing other grammatical errors.

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Agreement
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Question 38Question →

Bakers around the world prize sourdough for its complex flavor and airy texture. Unlike commercial bread made with isolated yeast strains, the cultivation of traditional sourdough starters, which relies on a symbiotic culture of wild yeast and lactic acid bacteria, require patience and precise temperature control. A baker must feed the starter daily to maintain its vitality.

Which of the following choices correctly completes the underlined portion of the sentence to maintain proper subject-verb agreement?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: requires

Answer

requires
The subject of the sentence is 'cultivation', which is a singular noun. The phrases 'of traditional sourdough starters' and 'which relies on a symbiotic culture of wild yeast and lactic acid bacteria' are intervening modifiers that separate the subject from its verb. Therefore, the verb must be singular. The singular, present-tense verb 'requires' correctly agrees with the singular subject.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the subject of the sentence.
The subject is the singular noun 'cultivation'.
Determining whether the subject is singular or plural is necessary to select the correct verb form.
2
Locate the verb that corresponds to the subject, ignoring intervening phrases.
The target verb is 'require', which is separated from 'cultivation' by the prepositional phrase 'of traditional sourdough starters' and the relative clause 'which relies on a symbiotic culture of wild yeast and lactic acid bacteria'.
Intervening phrases containing plural nouns (like 'starters', 'yeast', 'bacteria') often distract from the true singular subject.
3
Select the verb form that agrees with the singular subject in the present tense.
The present-tense singular verb 'requires' is correct.
A singular subject requires a singular verb, and the surrounding context establishes the present tense.

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Agreement with Intervening Phrases
Question 39Question →

The passage below describes a challenge in botanical research. Which present-tense form of the verb 'to require' correctly completes the sentence to maintain proper subject-verb agreement?

Fill in the blanks below

In modern botany, the collection of rare specimens from remote mountain ranges months of grueling travel and meticulous planning by dedicated researchers.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

requires
The correct answer is 'requires' because the singular subject 'collection' must agree with a singular verb in the present tense. Intervening prepositional phrases do not affect the grammatical number of the subject.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the true grammatical subject of the sentence.
The subject is 'collection', which is a singular noun.
Prepositional phrases that follow a subject, such as 'of rare specimens' and 'from remote mountain ranges', are modifiers and do not change the grammatical number of the subject.
2
Select the verb form of 'to require' that matches the singular subject in the present tense.
The correct form is 'requires'.
Singular subjects must be paired with singular verbs (verbs ending in 's' in the third-person present tense) to ensure proper subject-verb agreement.

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Agreement
Question 40Question →

Read the passage below about cognitive neuroscience. Fill in the blank with the correct present-tense form of the verb 'suggest' that agrees with the subject of the sentence.

Fill in the blanks below

The study of mirror neurons, which fire both when an animal performs an action and when the animal observes the same action performed by another, has revolutionized our understanding of empathy. The discovery of these specialized brain cells, along with subsequent research in cognitive neuroscience, that humans are neurologically wired to connect with others.
Show answer & explanation

Answer

suggests
The correct verb form is 'suggests' because the subject is the singular noun 'discovery'. Intervening prepositional phrases like 'of these specialized brain cells' and parenthetical phrases beginning with 'along with' do not affect the grammatical number of the subject.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the grammatical subject of the clause containing the blank.
The subject is the singular noun 'discovery'.
The verb must agree in number with its true subject, not with nearby nouns in modifying phrases.
2
Analyze any intervening phrases between the subject and the verb.
The phrases 'of these specialized brain cells' and 'along with subsequent research in cognitive neuroscience' modify the noun 'discovery'.
Prepositional phrases and additive expressions (such as 'along with', 'as well as', or 'in addition to') do not change the number of the subject and do not create a compound subject.
3
Determine the correct verb form for a singular subject in the present tense.
The third-person singular present form of the verb 'suggest' is 'suggests'.
Singular subjects require singular verbs, which end in '-s' in the present tense.

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Agreement with Intervening Phrases
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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