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Question

Difficulty: HardSubject-Verb Agreement

In neurobiology, the synchronization of neural oscillations across disparate regions of the cerebral cortex _______ critical for sensory integration and cognitive processing. Although researchers once viewed these complex electrical patterns as mere byproducts of localized brain activity, recent multi-electrode array studies demonstrate that this precise timing coordinates communication between distant neural networks during task execution.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. isAnswer
  2. B
    are
  3. C
    have been
  4. D
    was

Answer

is
The singular verb 'is' matches the singular subject 'synchronization'. The intervening prepositional phrases contain plural nouns ('oscillations', 'regions') that do not alter the grammatical number of the subject. Additionally, the present tense aligns with the other present-tense verbs in the passage ('demonstrate', 'coordinates').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the subject of the sentence containing the blank.
The subject is 'synchronization', which is singular.
The prepositional phrase 'of neural oscillations across disparate regions of the cerebral cortex' contains plural nouns but functions as an intervening modifier that does not change the singular nature of the main subject.
2
Identify the appropriate tense based on the surrounding context.
The present tense is required.
The passage discusses active scientific facts, using present tense verbs like 'demonstrate' and 'coordinates' in the subsequent sentences.
3
Select the option that is singular and in the present tense.
'is' is the only option that is both singular and in the present tense.
'are' and 'have been' are plural, and 'was' is past tense.

Key Concept

Subject-Verb Agreement
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Topics

Subject-Verb Agreement

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