Confused about where the verb should agree with the subject? This post provides a comprehensive answer key with clear, step-by-step explanations for our Subject-Verb Agreement MCQ exercise, specifically designed for MDCAT and NUMS aspirants. Each explanation breaks down the grammar rules behind the correct option, helping you understand singular and plural subjects, tricky structures, and common test traps. Strengthen your grammar concepts, avoid mistakes, and prepare effectively for the English portion of MDCAT & NUMS with this detailed guide!
Q.1
Correct option: B. Is
Explanation: The subject “One of my best friends” is singular because it refers to a single individual among many. Therefore, the singular verb “is” is correct. The phrase “an extra on Multan Sultan this week” describes the singular subject, reinforcing the need for a singular verb.
Q.2
Correct option: B. has
Explanation: When using “not only…but also,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. Here, “instructor” is singular, so the singular verb “has” is correct. The phrase “been called to the principal’s office” follows the auxiliary verb “has” to form the present perfect tense.
Q.3
Correct option: A. appears
Explanation: The verb “appears” is in the simple present tense, which is used to describe a general truth or state. The subject “She” is singular, so the singular form “appears” is correct. The phrase “to be a perfectly sane person” complements the verb.
Q.4
Correct option: A. looks
Explanation: The subject “It” is singular, requiring the singular verb “looks.” The phrase “like you are no longer interested in me” is a comparison clause. The verb “looks” is used here to describe a state or appearance, not an action in progress, so the simple present tense is appropriate.
Q.5
Correct option: A. enjoy
Explanation: The subject “Both my children” is plural, so the plural verb “enjoy” is correct. The phrase “playing football” is a gerund phrase acting as the object of the verb. The simple present tense “enjoy” is used to describe a habitual action.
Q.6
Correct option: C. had
Explanation: The verb “had” is in the past subjunctive mood, which is used after “I wish” to express a hypothetical or unreal situation. The phrase “curly hair” is the object of the verb. The past subjunctive “had” indicates that the speaker does not currently have curly hair.
Q.7
Correct option: C. went
Explanation: The phrase “it is time” is followed by the past subjunctive “went” to suggest that the action is overdue. The past subjunctive is used here to express a hypothetical or recommended action. The phrase “to bed” completes the meaning.
Q.8
Correct option: B. has been
Explanation: The present perfect tense “has been” is used to describe an action or state that began in the past and continues into the present. The subject “She” is singular, so the singular form “has been” is correct. The phrase “jobless for six months” indicates duration.
Q.9
Correct option: A. beg
Explanation: The phrase “would rather…than” is followed by the base form of the verb (“beg”). This construction is used to express preference. The infinitive “to beg” or the gerund “begging” would be grammatically incorrect in this context.
Q.10
Correct option: D. would have prepared
Explanation: The sentence is a third conditional, which describes a hypothetical past situation and its result. The correct form is “would have prepared” because the condition (“If I knew”) is in the past, and the result is also in the past.
Q.11
Correct option: C. has been working
Explanation: The present perfect continuous tense “has been working” is used to describe an action that began in the past and is still ongoing. The subject “She” is singular, so the singular form “has been working” is correct. The phrase “in Mumbai for six months” indicates duration.
Q.12
Correct option: B. had
Explanation: The past simple tense “had” is used to describe a completed action in the past. The phrase “When I was in Singapore” sets the past context, and “often” indicates that the action was habitual.
Q.13
Correct option: A. has
Explanation: The subject “Every room” is singular, so the singular verb “has” is correct. The phrase “been cleaned” is the past participle, forming the present perfect passive voice.
Q.14
Correct option: A. is
Explanation: The subject “Each new day” is singular, so the singular verb “is” is correct. The adjective “different” describes the subject. The simple present tense is used to describe a general truth.
Q.15
Correct option: B. have
Explanation: The subject “Natives of India” is plural, so the plural verb “have” is correct. The phrase “black hair” is the object of the verb. The simple present tense is used to describe a general characteristic.
Q.16
Correct option: A. does
Explanation: The subject “The climate of London” is singular, so the singular auxiliary verb “does” is correct. The phrase “not suit my health” is the main verb phrase. The auxiliary “does” is used to form the negative in the simple present tense.
Q.17
Correct option: C. are
Explanation: The subject “My sister and I” is plural, so the plural verb “are” is correct. The phrase “pleased to accept your invitation” describes the subject’s state.
Q.18
Correct option: A. is
Explanation: The subject “Each one of these apples” is singular, so the singular verb “is” is correct. The adjective “red” describes the subject.
Q.19
Correct option: A. was
Explanation: The collective noun “class” is treated as a singular unit here, so the singular verb “was” is correct. The phrase “listening to the speech” describes the action of the group as a whole.
Q.20
Correct option: B. were
Explanation: The subject “My sister and my brother” is plural, so the plural verb “were” is correct. The phrase “at the party” describes the location of the subjects.
Q.21
Correct option: B. were
Explanation: The subject “She and I” is plural, so the plural verb “were” is correct. The phrase “having dinner together” describes the action of the subjects.
Q.22
Correct option: B. suits
Explanation: When using “neither…nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. Here, “green” is singular, so the singular verb “suits” is correct.
Q.23
Correct option: A. has
Explanation: When using “either…or,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. Here, “Peter” is singular, so the singular verb “has” is correct.
Q.24
Correct option: A. is
Explanation: The subject “The President” is singular, and the phrase “as well as the Prime Minister” does not change the number of the subject. Therefore, the singular verb “is” is correct.
Q.25
Correct option: A. Has
Explanation: The collective noun “jury” is treated as a singular unit here, so the singular verb “Has” is correct. The phrase “reached a unanimous verdict” describes the action of the group as a whole.
Q.26
Correct option: C. Are
Explanation: The subject “mechanics” refers to the technical aspects of the process, which is plural, so the plural verb “Are” is correct.
Q.27
Correct option: A. is
Explanation: The collective noun “team” is treated as a singular unit here, so the singular verb “is” is correct. The phrase “on the field” describes the location of the group.
Q.28
Correct option: B. are
Explanation: The collective noun “jury” is treated as a plural here because the members are acting individually (debating), so the plural verb “are” is correct.
Q.29
Correct option: B. are
Explanation: The collective noun “family” is treated as a plural here because the members are acting individually (living in various parts), so the plural verb “are” is correct.
Q.30
Correct option: B. are
Explanation: The noun “cattle” is always plural, so the plural verb “are” is correct. The phrase “allowed to wander freely” describes the action.
Q.31
Correct option: B. Have
Explanation: The subject “I” is first-person singular, but the verb “have” is used because “not he” is a parenthetical element and does not affect the verb agreement.
Q.32
Correct option: C. Was
Explanation: The subject “Ten dollars” is a singular amount, so the singular verb “Was” is correct. The phrase “scattered on the floor” describes the state.
Q.33
Correct option: B. Wear
Explanation: The verb “wear” is in the base form because it follows the verb “demanded” in a subjunctive mood, which is used for requests or demands.
Q.34
Correct option: D. Were
Explanation: The verb “were” is in the past subjunctive mood, which is used after “I wish” to express a hypothetical or unreal situation.
Q.35
Correct option: A. Is
Explanation: The phrase “more than one” is followed by a singular noun (“way”), so the singular verb “Is” is correct.
Q.36
Correct option: C. Fifths/are
Explanation: The fraction “Three fifths” is plural, and the subject “students” is also plural, so the plural verb “are” is correct.
Q.37
Correct option: D. Was
Explanation: The subject “politics” refers to a field of study, which is singular, so the singular verb “Was” is correct.
Q.38
Correct option: B. Were
Explanation: The subject “who” refers to “those,” which is plural, so the plural verb “Were” is correct.
Q.39
Correct option: D. is
Explanation: The subject “He as well as I” is singular because “as well as” does not make the subject plural, so the singular verb “is” is correct.
Q.40
Correct option: C. was
Explanation: The subject “A lot of sugar” is uncountable and singular, so the singular verb “was” is correct.
Q.41
Correct option: C. is
Explanation: The subject “opinion” is singular, so the singular verb “is” is correct.
Q.42
Correct option: D. is
Explanation: The subject “Nothing but empty promises” is singular because “nothing” is the main subject, so the singular verb “is” is correct.
Q.43
Correct option: B. is
Explanation: The phrase “more than one” is followed by a singular noun (“book”), so the singular verb “is” is correct.
Q.44
Correct option: B. are
Explanation: The subject “The following” is plural because it refers to “details,” so the plural verb “are” is correct.
Q.45
Correct option: A. is
Explanation: The subject “price” is singular, so the singular verb “is” is correct.
Q.46
Correct option: B. is
Explanation: The subject “decision” is singular, so the singular verb “is” is correct.
Q.47
Correct option: D. Is
Explanation: The subject “Mr. Budhrani” is singular, and “my friend and professor” is an appositive, so the singular verb “Is” is correct.
Q.48
Correct option: C. have
Explanation: The subject “his friends” is plural, so the plural verb “have” is correct.
Q.49
Correct option: D. have
Explanation: The subject “I” is first-person singular, but the verb “have” is used because it follows “either he or I,” and the verb agrees with the closer subject (“I”).
Q.50
Correct option: A. is
Explanation: The subject “Hope” is singular, so the singular verb “is” is correct.
