1.
The price of these jeans ___ reasonable.
Correct Answer
A. Is
Explanation
The correct answer is "is" because when referring to the price of something, we use the singular form of the verb "to be" (is) instead of the plural form (are).
2.
The books borrowed from the library ___ on my desk.
Correct Answer
B. Are
Explanation
The correct answer is "are" because the subject "books" is plural, so the verb should also be plural to agree with the subject.
3.
The boy who won the two medals ___ a friend of mine.
Correct Answer
A. Is
Explanation
The correct answer is "is" because the subject "The boy who won the two medals" is singular.
4.
Bread and butter ___ our daily food.
Correct Answer
A. Is
Explanation
The correct answer is "is" because "bread and butter" is a singular noun phrase that functions as a unit, so it takes a singular verb form.
5.
The famous singer and composer ___ arrived.
Correct Answer
A. Has
Explanation
The correct answer is "has" because the subject "The famous singer and composer" is singular. In English grammar, singular subjects require the verb "has" in the present tense.
6.
Collecting match-boxes ___ one of his favourite pastimes.
Correct Answer
A. Is
Explanation
The correct answer is "is" because "collecting match-boxes" is a singular subject and requires a singular verb. In this case, "is" is the correct form of the verb to agree with the subject.
7.
The quality of the candies ___ poor.
Correct Answer
A. Is
Explanation
The correct answer is "is" because the subject "quality" is singular, so it requires a singular verb form.
8.
Neither his father nor his mother ____ mahjong.
Correct Answer
B. Plays
Explanation
The subject of the sentence is "Neither his father nor his mother," which is a compound subject joined by the conjunction "nor." When using "neither...nor" to connect two subjects, the verb should agree with the subject closer to it. In this case, "mother" is closer to the verb "plays," so the correct form is "plays."
9.
Neither parent ____ fond of playing mahjong.
Correct Answer
A. Is
Explanation
The correct answer is "is" because the subject "Neither parent" is singular, so it requires a singular verb form. In this case, "is" is the correct singular form of the verb "to be."
10.
None of my friends ___ there.
Correct Answer
B. Were
Explanation
The subject "None of my friends" is treated as plural because "friends" is plural. Therefore, the correct sentence is:
"None of my friends were there."
"Were" is used to match the plural subject.
11.
Many a student ____ made the same mistake.
Correct Answer
A. Has
Explanation
The sentence "Many a student has made the same mistake" uses "has" because it is referring to a singular subject, which is "Many a student."
In English, when we use the phrase "Many a [singular noun]," we treat it as a singular subject and use a singular verb form. In this case, "has" is the singular form of the verb, while "have" is the plural form, and "had" is the past tense form. Since we are talking about something that has happened in the present or is a general truth, "has" is the appropriate choice to agree with the singular subject "Many a student."
12.
Gold, as well as platinum, ____ recently risen in price.
Correct Answer
A. Has
Explanation
The correct answer is "has." In this sentence, "gold" and "platinum" are both singular nouns, so the verb should agree with them in the singular form. Therefore, "has" is the correct verb choice.
13.
The boss, as well as his colleagues, ___ been robbed by the robber.
Correct Answer
A. Has
Explanation
In this sentence, the subject "the boss, as well as his colleagues" is a singular noun phrase. Even though it includes multiple people, it is treated as a single unit and takes a singular verb. Therefore, the correct verb to use is "has."
14.
Ten tons ___ a heavy load.
Correct Answer
A. Is
Explanation
The correct answer is "is" because "ten tons" is a singular subject, so it requires a singular verb. In this case, "is" is the correct form of the verb to agree with the subject.
15.
Fifty miles ____ a long distance.
Correct Answer
A. Is
Explanation
The correct answer is "is" because "fifty miles" is a singular noun phrase and requires a singular verb. In this sentence, "is" agrees with the singular noun "distance."
16.
Thirty years ___ a long time.
Correct Answer
A. Is
Explanation
The correct answer is "is" because the subject "thirty years" is treated as a singular noun in this sentence. Even though "years" is plural, it is functioning as a unit of time, and in English, units of time are typically treated as singular. Therefore, the verb "is" agrees with the singular subject "thirty years."
17.
One of the books ___ been missing.
Correct Answer
A. Has
Explanation
The correct answer is "has" because the subject "one of the books" is singular, so it requires the singular verb "has."
18.
The poor ___ suffering.
Correct Answer
B. Are
Explanation
The word "suffering" is used as a plural noun in this sentence. Therefore, the correct verb form to use is "are" which agrees with the plural noun.
19.
You should decide which one of the three choices A, B, or C best _____ the question.
Correct Answer
A. Answers
20.
One of the most intelligent students who ____ full marks is John.
Correct Answer
A. Scores
Explanation
The phrase "one of the most intelligent students" refers to a singular subject ("one"), even though "students" is plural. The verb needs to agree with "one," so the correct sentence is:
"One of the most intelligent students who scores full marks is John."
"Scores" is the correct form because it matches the singular subject "one."
21.
The only one of these most intelligent students who ___ under 18 is Peter.
Correct Answer
A. Is
Explanation
The sentence is referring to a specific student, Peter, who is the only one among the most intelligent students who is under 18 years old. Therefore, the correct form of the verb to use is "is," as it agrees with the singular subject "Peter."
22.
One of these most intelligent students whose example ___ followed is John.
Correct Answer
A. Is being
Explanation
The correct answer is "is being". In this sentence, we are referring to a singular subject, which is "one of these most intelligent students". Therefore, we use the singular form of the verb "to be", which is "is". The phrase "is being" indicates that John is currently being followed as an example by the most intelligent students.