Welcome to our interactive quiz on subject-verb agreement! As you know, subject-verb agreement is a key grammar concept that is often tested on standardized exams such as the SAT, EST, and ACT. This quiz is designed to help you test your understanding of the subject-verb agreement and identify areas where you may need further practice. By taking this quiz, you will have the opportunity to put your grammar skills to the test and improve your understanding of this important concept. Whether you're a student preparing for standardized tests or just looking to improve your grammar, this quiz is a great tool to help you achieve your goals. So, let's get started!
1/10
Just as dusk was settling on the pond, the flock of geese scattered by a shotgun blast.
NO CHANGE
were scattered
was scattered
was scattering
Explanation: The phrase scattered by is not idiomatic unless it is part of a passive voice verb, so choice A is incorrect. Choice B is incorrect because were does not agree with the singular subject flock. Choice D is incorrect because the progressive aspect cannot indicate a sudden reaction to something like a shotgun blast. Only choice C has the correct voice and conjugation.
2/10
In every teaspoon of topsoil is over two million microorganisms, forming a highly complex ecosystem.
Explanation: This is an inverted sentence. The “uninverted” version is Over two million microorganisms is in every teaspoon of topsoil, forming a highly complex ecosystem. Clearly, the verb is disagrees with the plural subject organisms, and should be changed to are. Choice B is incorrect because was is in the wrong tense and disagrees with the plural subject. Choice D is wrong because being cannot stand alone as a verb.
3/10
How important should strength conditioning to a marathon training regimen?
Explanation: This is an inverted sentence. If you missed this one, you probably didn’t read the sentence carefully enough. Notice that that there is no be between conditioning and to, so the wording in choice A is illogical. Choice B is incorrect because the singular subject conditioning disagrees with the plural verb are. Choice C is correct because is agrees with the singular verb. Choice D is incorrect because it does not form a complete sentence.
4/10
This technology, developed by the American military for field communications, has become essential to many private industries as well.
NO CHANGE
was developed
was being developed
having developed
Explanation: The original phrasing is correct because the interrupter is a logical participial phrase that modifies the subject technology. Choices B and C are both incorrect because they render the preceding comma illogical and create parallel predicates unlinked by a conjunction. Choice D is incorrect because it creates an illogical participial phrase.
5/10
The committee agreed that the new principal should both inspire students and should maintain a rigorous academic culture.
NO CHANGE
should also maintain
also maintain
maintain
Explanation: This sentence uses a standard parallel construction, both A and B, and therefore requires a verb that matches the form of the previous verb, inspire. Only choice D maintains this parallel structure. Choices B and C both include extra words that disrupt the parallel structure.
6/10
The labor coalition, which consists of representatives from all of the skilled worker unions, have expressed concern in the new hiring policies.
NO CHANGE
has expressed concern about
have expressed concern with
has expressed concern with
Explanation: In choices A and C, the verb have expressed disagrees with the singular subject coalition. Choice D is incorrect because concern with is the incorrect idiom for indicating worry. The correct idiom is concern about, as in choice B.
7/10
The explosiveness of political revelations in the book explain why it is selling at such a feverish pace.
NO CHANGE
explains why it is selling at such a feverish pace
explain the feverish pace of it’s sales
explains why its selling at such a feverish pace
Explanation: Choices A and C are incorrect because the verb explain disagrees with the singular subject explosiveness. Choice D is incorrect because its is a possessive form, not a contraction.
8/10
S. J. Perelman’s absurdist and florid writing style is regarded as one of America’s greatest humorists.
NO CHANGE
S. J. Perelman’s absurdist and florid writing style
S. J. Perelman, whose writing is characterized by an absurdist and florid style,
S. J. Perelman and his absurdist and florid writing style
Explanation: The predicate of the sentence indicates that the subject should be S. J. Perelman, and not his writing or his style. Therefore, choices A, B, and D have illogical subjects. Only choice C works logically with the predicate of the sentence.
9/10
Grizzlies rarely attack humans, but they will protect their territory from anyone they would have regarded as a threat.
NO CHANGE
regarded
had regarded
regard
Explanation: Since this sentence is about the habits of the grizzly bear, the verbs should take the present tense, habitual aspect and indicative mood. Only choice D is correct in both regards. Choice A is incorrect because it uses the subjunctive mood. Choices B and C are incorrect because they are in the past tense.
10/10
Just when those who were observing the heart surgery assumed the worst, the surgeons themselves were most confident in its success.
NO CHANGE
they were
themselves are
are, themselves,
Explanation: The original phrasing is correct. The pronoun themselves serves as an emphatic appositive and the verb were agrees with the plural subject surgeons and coordinates logically with the past tense verb assumed. Choice B is incorrect because they cannot serve as an appositive adjective. Choices C and D are incorrect because the present tense are does not coordinate logically with the past tense assumed.
