7
S-5 Subject-Verb Agreement Review
Multiple Choice
Select the correct verb for the blank.
1. Paul Krugman, a newspaper columnist and a professor of economics, ______complex concepts such as the connection between deregulation and prices.
a. clarifies
b. clarify
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5b. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=21
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5b.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5b-subjects-and-verbs-separated.html
2. Most of Stephen Greenblatt’s professional writing ______with Shakespeare.
a. deals
b. deal
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5f. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=23
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5f.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5f-everyone-and-other-indefinite-pronouns.html
3. One of the contemporary novels that ______affected me is Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner.
a. has
b. have
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5g. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=23
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5g.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5g-who-that-or-which.html
4. From a close reading of Shakespearean texts ______Stephen Greenblatt’s speculation about the playwright’s life.
a. comes
b. come
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5d. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=22
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5d.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5d-subjects-that-follow-the-verb.html
5. Each of the candidates ______claiming victory after the early primaries.
a. was
b. were
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5f. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=23
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5f.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5f-everyone-and-other-indefinite-pronouns.html
6. Neither my mother nor my older brothers ______willing to stand up to my father.
a. was
b. were
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5c. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=21
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5c.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5c-compound-subjects.html
7. The prom committee ______arguing for months about location, food, and décor.
a. has been
b. have been
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5e. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=22
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5e.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5e-collective-nouns.html
8. The only one of the prom dresses that ______good on me is the beautiful lavender one.
a. looks
b. look
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5g. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=23
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5g.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5g-who-that-or-which.html
9. The last time I checked, there ______only a few pieces of pizza left.
a. was
b. were
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5d. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=22
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5d.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5d-subjects-that-follow-the-verb.html
10. None of the assignments from Professor Blakely ______that difficult.
a. seems
b. seem
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5f. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=23
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5f.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5f-everyone-and-other-indefinite-pronouns.html
18S-5b Subjects and Verbs Separated by Other Words
Multiple Choice
Select the verb that belongs in the blank.
1. The current population of only two countries, China and India, ______one billion each.
a. exceeds
b. exceed
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5b. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=21
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5b.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5b-subjects-and-verbs-separated.html
2. Osaka, Japan, in addition to Tokyo, ______home to many people—eleven million, to be exact.
a. is
b. are
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5b. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=21
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5b.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5b-subjects-and-verbs-separated.html
3. China’s population in recent years ______India’s by about 33 percent, but India’s population is projected to outnumber China’s by 2050.
a. has outnumbered
b. have outnumbered
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5b. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=21
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5b.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5b-subjects-and-verbs-separated.html
4. After China and India, the next three most populated countries, in descending order, ______the United States, Indonesia, and Brazil.
a. is
b. are
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5b. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=21
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5b.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5b-subjects-and-verbs-separated.html
5. The smallest of the twenty most populous countries on a list prepared by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs ______France at just over sixty million.
a. is
b. are
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5b. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=21
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5b.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5b-subjects-and-verbs-separated.html
6. Mexico City along with Tokyo ______the list of largest urban areas.
a. tops
b. top
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5b. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=21
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5b.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5b-subjects-and-verbs-separated.html
7. Horrific living conditions in places like Darfur ______local populations in Africa.
a. has decimated
b. have decimated
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5b. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=21
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5b.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5b-subjects-and-verbs-separated.html
8. Which one of the following cities ______the highest population: Dhaka, Karachi, Delhi, Jakarta, or Osaka?
a. has
b. have
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5b. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=21
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5b.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5b-subjects-and-verbs-separated.html
9. The populations of the polar bear and penguin ______every year while human population increases.
a. decreases
b. decrease
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5b. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=21
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5b.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5b-subjects-and-verbs-separated.html
10. Sao Paulo, along with Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, ______the list of the world’s eighteen largest urban areas.
a. makes
b. make
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5b. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=21
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5b.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5b-subjects-and-verbs-separated.html
S-5c Compound Subjects
Multiple Choice
Select the verb that belongs in each blank.
1. Snow and sleet ______likely tonight.
a. is
b. are
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5c. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=21
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5c.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5c-compound-subjects.html
2. My cousin Pedro and my best friend Jane ______better than to ask me for a loan.
a. knows
b. know
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5c. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=21
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5c.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5c-compound-subjects.html
3. Peanut butter and jelly ______a popular American sandwich filling.
a. is
b. are
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5c. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=21
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5c.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5c-compound-subjects.html
4. Since the day I broke my leg, either my sisters or my brother ______me wherever I go.
a. accompanies
b. accompany
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5c. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=21
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5c.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5c-compound-subjects.html
5. My sisters and my brother ______over who should take me to the dentist.
a. argues
b. argue
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5c. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=21
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5c.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5c-compound-subjects.html
6. Driving and talking on a cell phone sometimes ______to automobile accidents.
a. leads
b. lead
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5c. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=21
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5c.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5c-compound-subjects.html
7. A dictionary or thesaurus ______a long-lasting graduation gift.
a. makes
b. make
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5c. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=21
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5c.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5c-compound-subjects.html
8. Hillary Clinton’s husband and staunch supporter ______former President Bill Clinton.
a. is
b. are
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5c. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=21
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5c.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5c-compound-subjects.html
9. Whenever the band practices, neither the drummer nor the saxophonists ______time to the music.
a. keeps
b. keep
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5c. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=21
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5c.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5c-compound-subjects.html
10. At any Italian restaurant, spaghetti and meatballs ______what my parents order.
a. is
b. are
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5c. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=21
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5c.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5c-compound-subjects.html
S-5d Subjects That Follow the Verb
Multiple Choice
Select the verb that belongs in the blank.
1. Just below China on the list of the most populous countries _____ India.
a. sits
b. sit
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5d. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=22
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5d.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5d-subjects-that-follow-the-verb.html
2. Qualifying as the third and fourth most populous countries _____ the United States and Indonesia.
a. is
b. are
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5d. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=22
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5d.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5d-subjects-that-follow-the-verb.html
3. There _____ far fewer people in Pakistan than in India.
a. is
b. are
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5d. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=22
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5d.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5d-subjects-that-follow-the-verb.html
4. According to population experts, there _____ several ways to count a country’s people.
a. is
b. are
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5d. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=22
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5d.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5d-subjects-that-follow-the-verb.html
5. Where _____ the population projections for 2015?
a. is
b. are
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5d. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=22
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5d.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5d-subjects-that-follow-the-verb.html
6. Rounding out the top twenty most populous countries _____ France, just below Thailand statistically.
a. is
b. are
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5d. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=22
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5d.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5d-subjects-that-follow-the-verb.html
7. _____ more people live in Vietnam or the Philippines?
a. Does
b. Do
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5d. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=22
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5d.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5d-subjects-that-follow-the-verb.html
8. How _____ London’s population compare with New York’s?
a. does
b. do
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5d. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=22
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5d.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5d-subjects-that-follow-the-verb.html
9. Ranking fifth and seventh among the world’s most populous cities _____ New York and Los Angeles, respectively.
a. is
b. are
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5d. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=22
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5d.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5d-subjects-that-follow-the-verb.html
10. There _____ smaller urban populations in 1950 than today.
a. was
b. were
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5d. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=22
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5d.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5d-subjects-that-follow-the-verb.html
S-5e Collective Nouns
Multiple Choice
Select the verb that belongs in the blank.
1. The jury ______order their lunches from various take-out restaurants nearby.
a. has to
b. have to
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5e. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=22
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5e.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5e-collective-nouns.html
2. Every Tuesday during May, the senior class ______for the graduation ceremony.
a. practices
b. practice
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5e. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=22
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5e.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5e-collective-nouns.html
3. Despite all of the problems with the oldest daughter, the family ______to get along.
a. has tried
b. have tried
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5e. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=22
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5e.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5e-collective-nouns.html
4. Marching in unison through the middle of town, the crowd ______the warnings of the police.
a. ignores
b. ignore
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5e. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=22
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5e.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5e-collective-nouns.html
5. Heading in all directions, a flock of birds ______toward the evergreens surrounding our house.
a. flies
b. fly
ANS: b
REF: The correct answer is b.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5e. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=22
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5e.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5e-collective-nouns.html
6. Having limited authority, the university’s parking committee only ______recommendations to the administration.
a. makes
b. make
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5e. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=22
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5e.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5e-collective-nouns.html
7. As the curtain falls, the audience ______the actors a standing ovation.
a. gives
b. give
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5e. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=22
In The Little Seagull Handbook, see S-5e.
http://wwnorton.com/college/english/write/LSH/full/s-5e-collective-nouns.html
8. The jury ______the judge for a redefinition of “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
a. has asked
b. have asked
ANS: a
REF: The correct answer is a.
In The Norton Field Guide to Writing, see S-5e. http://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/bullock2_readings_handbook_ebook/welcome.asp?page=22