Intermediate subject-verb agreement. 45 questions on collective nouns, compound subjects, and tricky pronouns.
What this test covers
- Collective Nouns
- Compound Subjects
- Indefinite Pronouns
Answer the 45 questions below. Each answer is checked straight away, with an explanation. Press Submit at the end to get your score and save it to your dashboard. Answers are not kept if you leave before submitting.
All 45 questions with answers
Pick an answer for each question to see if you are right, with the explanation. Submit when you are done; you can submit before answering them all.
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Q1The team ___ practicing on the new field every afternoon.
Answer: D. is
The word 'team' is a collective noun. When we think of the group acting together as a single unit, we use a singular verb like 'is.' The present continuous form 'is practicing' shows a unified action. 'Am' is only used with the first-person singular 'I'.
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Q2The jury members ___ divided in their opinions regarding the verdict.
Answer: C. are
The subject here is 'jury members.' Unlike the collective noun 'jury,' the word 'members' is a standard plural noun. Therefore, it requires the plural verb 'are.' The phrase 'divided in their opinions' also hints that they are acting as individuals, reinforcing the plural form.
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Q3The committee ___ reached a final decision after much debate.
Answer: B. has
The collective noun 'committee' is acting as a single body to reach a decision. Therefore, we use the singular helping word 'has' to form the present perfect tense. 'Am' is only used with 'I', and 'were' is a past tense form that does not fit the present perfect structure here. 'Are reached' is grammatically incorrect in this context.
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Q4Right now, the audience ___ cheering loudly in the theater.
Answer: B. is
The time marker 'right now' establishes that this is happening in the present. 'Audience' is a collective noun; when the group acts together as a single unit, it takes the singular verb 'is.' 'Were' is past tense and contradicts 'right now.' 'Being' is a simple -ing word that cannot function as the main verb here, and 'am' is only used with 'I'.
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Q5The staff ___ arguing about the new office schedule.
Answer: A. are
While 'staff' is a collective noun, the verb 'arguing' suggests that the individual members have different opinions and are not acting as one unit. In this context, we use the plural verb 'are' to emphasize the individuals within the group.
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Q6My family ___ having dinner together every Sunday.
Answer: C. is
'Family' is a collective noun. Since they are performing the activity together as one group, we use the singular verb 'is.' The time expression 'every Sunday' indicates a habit. 'Were' is past tense, 'be' is a base verb that cannot stand alone as the main verb, and 'am' is only used with 'I'.
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Q7The flock of birds ___ flying south for the winter.
Answer: B. is
In the phrase 'flock of birds,' the head noun is 'flock,' which is singular. We ignore the plural 'birds' inside the prepositional phrase when determining subject-verb agreement. Therefore, the singular verb 'is' is correct.
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Q8The group of students ___ going to the museum today.
Answer: B. is
The subject of the sentence is 'group,' which is a singular noun. Even though 'students' is plural, it is part of a prepositional phrase ('of students') modifying the main subject. A singular subject requires a singular verb like 'is.'
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Q9The board of directors ___ meeting to discuss the merger.
Answer: C. is
The head noun of the subject is 'board,' which is singular. The phrase 'of directors' provides more detail but does not change the grammatical number of the subject. Thus, we use the singular verb 'is' to agree with 'board.'
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Q10The orchestra members ___ tuning their instruments before the show.
Answer: C. are
Here, the subject is 'members,' which is plural. Even though 'orchestra' is singular, it acts as a modifier here. Plural subjects require plural verbs, so 'are' is the correct choice. The context of tuning individual instruments also suggests individual actions.
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Q11The audience members ___ taking their seats before the curtain rises.
Answer: A. are
The word 'members' is the head of the subject phrase and is plural. This requires a plural verb. 'Are' correctly agrees with 'members.' Using 'is' or 'was' would be a mistake because they are singular forms.
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Q12The class ___ studying for the final exam this week.
Answer: A. is
'Class' is a collective noun acting as a single group focused on one task (studying). Therefore, it takes the singular verb 'is.' 'Were' is past tense, 'been' is a past form that cannot stand alone as the main verb, and 'am' is only used with 'I'.
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Q13The government ___ planning to announce new policies at tomorrow's press conference.
Answer: C. is
The reference to 'tomorrow's press conference' establishes a current plan for the near future. 'Government' is a collective noun representing a single authority; it takes the singular verb 'is.' 'Been' is a past form that cannot stand alone as the main verb, 'am' is only used with 'I', and 'were' is a past tense form that is inconsistent with a present intention towards a future event.
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Q14The couple ___ walking in the park together right now.
Answer: B. is
The time marker 'right now' establishes a present context. 'Couple' is a collective noun; when the two people act as a single unit doing something together, we use the singular verb 'is.' 'Were' is past tense and contradicts 'right now.' 'Been' is a past form that cannot stand alone as a main verb, and 'am' is only used with 'I'.
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Q15The team members ___ wearing their own jerseys to the game.
Answer: A. are
The subject is 'members,' which is plural. Consequently, the verb must be plural. 'Are' is the correct plural auxiliary for the present continuous tense. 'Is' and 'was' are incorrect because they are singular.
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Q16Neither the teacher nor the students ___ here yet.
Answer: B. are
When subjects are joined by 'neither...nor,' the verb must agree with the subject closest to it. Here, 'students' is the closer subject. Since 'students' is plural, we use the plural verb 'are.'
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Q17Neither the students nor the teacher ___ going to the conference.
Answer: C. is
In a 'neither...nor' construction, the verb agrees with the noun phrase closest to it. In this sentence, 'the teacher' is the closer subject and is singular. Therefore, the singular verb 'is' is required.
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Q18Either the cat or the dog ___ in the house.
Answer: C. is
When two singular subjects are joined by 'either...or,' the verb remains singular. The verb agrees with the nearest subject, which is 'the dog' (singular). Therefore, 'is' is the correct choice.
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Q19Either the manager or the employees ___ responsible for the error.
Answer: B. are
When using 'either...or,' the verb agrees with the closer subject. Since 'employees' is plural and is closest to the verb, we use the plural verb 'are.' 'Is' or 'was' would only be correct if the closer subject were singular.
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Q20Either the cat or the dogs ___ in the house.
Answer: C. are
Following the rule for 'either...or,' the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. 'The dogs' is plural, so we use the plural verb 'are' to maintain subject-verb agreement.
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Q21Fish and chips ___ my favorite meal at the pub.
Answer: D. is
Although 'Fish and chips' uses the conjunction 'and,' it refers to a single dish or 'unit' of food. When a compound subject represents a single idea or item, it takes a singular verb like 'is.'
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Q22The manager and the assistant ___ working late today.
Answer: D. are
When two distinct subjects are joined by 'and,' they form a plural compound subject. 'The manager' and 'the assistant' are two different people (indicated by the two articles), so the plural verb 'are' is required.
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Q23Not only the students but also the professor ___ arriving.
Answer: A. is
For the 'not only...but also' construction, the verb agrees with the closer subject. 'The professor' is singular and is closest to the verb, so we use the singular form 'is.'
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Q24Logic and reasoning ___ essential for this complex task.
Answer: B. are
'Logic' and 'reasoning' are two distinct concepts joined by 'and,' making the subject plural. Therefore, the plural verb 'are' is used. If they were considered one single inseparable concept (like 'bread and butter'), a singular verb might be used, but here they are treated as two separate requirements.
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Q25Neither the manager nor the employees ___ aware of the change.
Answer: D. are
In 'neither...nor' sentences, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. 'The employees' is plural, so the verb must be the plural 'are.'
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Q26Either the pens or the paper ___ on the desk.
Answer: A. is
With 'either...or,' the verb agrees with the nearest noun. 'Paper' is an uncountable noun and functions as a singular subject, so it takes the singular verb 'is.'
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Q27Not only the books but also the magazine ___ on the shelf.
Answer: D. is
The 'not only...but also' structure follows the proximity rule: the verb agrees with the closest subject. Since 'the magazine' is singular, the verb must be 'is.'
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Q28The chairman and the CEO ___ signing the new deal.
Answer: B. are
Because there are two separate articles ('the' chairman and 'the' CEO), we know these are two different people. This plural compound subject joined by 'and' requires the plural verb 'are.'
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Q29Bread and butter ___ served with every meal here.
Answer: B. is
'Bread and butter' is a classic example of a compound subject that functions as a single concept or a single side dish. Because it is viewed as one unit, it takes the singular verb 'is.'
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Q30Neither the cat nor the mice ___ seen in the garden.
Answer: B. are
With 'neither...nor,' the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. 'Mice' is the plural of 'mouse,' so the verb must be plural. 'Are' is the correct plural choice.
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Q31Everyone ___ happy with the new decision.
Answer: C. is
Indefinite pronouns like 'everyone,' 'everybody,' 'someone,' and 'nobody' are always grammatically singular, even though they refer to multiple people. Therefore, they always take a singular verb like 'is.'
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Q32Both of the books ___ very interesting to read.
Answer: A. are
The indefinite pronoun 'both' is always plural because it refers to two items. Therefore, it requires the plural verb 'are.' Singular verbs like 'was' or 'is' are incorrect.
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Q33Some of the water ___ spilled on the floor.
Answer: A. is
The pronoun 'some' can be singular or plural depending on the noun it refers to. Since 'water' is an uncountable noun, 'some of the water' is treated as a singular subject, requiring the singular verb 'is.'
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Q34Some of the books ___ left on the table.
Answer: C. are
When 'some' refers to a countable plural noun like 'books,' the subject is plural. Therefore, it requires the plural verb 'are.' Options like 'is' and 'was' are singular and thus incorrect.
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Q35Each of the students ___ to bring a notebook.
Answer: A. has
The word 'each' is a singular indefinite pronoun. Even though 'students' is plural, 'each' refers to every individual student one by one. Singular subjects take singular verbs, so 'has' is correct.
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Q36Nobody ___ aware of the problem yet.
Answer: A. is
'Nobody' is a singular indefinite pronoun. In English grammar, pronouns ending in '-body,' '-one,' or '-thing' are always singular and require a singular verb like 'is.'
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Q37All of the pie ___ eaten by the guests.
Answer: A. was
The pronoun 'all' can be singular or plural. Here, it refers to 'pie,' which is treated as a singular whole (uncountable mass). Therefore, it takes the singular verb 'was.'
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Q38All of the guests ___ arrived at the party.
Answer: A. have
In this sentence, 'all' refers to 'guests,' which is a plural countable noun. Therefore, 'all of the guests' is a plural subject and requires the plural auxiliary 'have' for the present perfect tense.
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Q39Several of the employees ___ resigned recently.
Answer: C. have
'Several' is an indefinite pronoun that always refers to more than one, making it plural. Consequently, it requires the plural verb 'have.' Singular verbs like 'was' or 'has' are incorrect.
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Q40Neither of the plans ___ good enough for us.
Answer: C. is
When used as a pronoun on its own, 'neither' is singular. It means 'not one and not the other.' Because it is singular, it takes the singular verb 'is,' even though it is followed by the plural 'plans.'
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Q41None of the evidence ___ clear to the jury.
Answer: B. is
'Evidence' is an uncountable noun. When 'none' refers to an uncountable noun, it takes a singular verb. Therefore, 'is' is the correct choice. 'Are' and 'were' are plural and do not fit.
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Q42Everything ___ in its proper place now.
Answer: D. is
'Everything' is an indefinite pronoun. Just like 'everyone' and 'something,' it is always grammatically singular, regardless of how many items it refers to. Therefore, it takes the singular verb 'is.'
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Q43Many ___ waiting in line for tickets.
Answer: C. are
'Many' is an indefinite pronoun that always refers to a large plural number of people or things. Because it is plural, it requires the plural verb 'are.'
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Q44Either of the two keys ___ for this door.
Answer: B. works
When 'either' is the subject, it is treated as singular because it refers to 'one or the other' of the two options. Therefore, the verb must take the singular '-s' ending in the present simple tense, making 'works' the correct answer.
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Q45Someone ___ knocking at the door right now.
Answer: A. is
'Someone' is a singular indefinite pronoun. Like other pronouns ending in '-one,' it always takes a singular verb. 'Is' correctly agrees with 'someone' in the present continuous tense.
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