Subject-Verb Agreement

Mathematics __________ my favorite subject.

• is

• are

Measles ______ a highly contagious and acute viral respiratory illness.

• is

• are

• was

• were

No one _______ able to do the examination.

• has

• have

• was

• were

There ______ no electricity in these block of flats last night.

• is

• are

• was

• were

A pack of lions ______ approaching the camp.

• has

• have

• is

• are

Answer explanation

In this question, the clue is 'pack' instead of 'lions' because the lions are seen as a group. Therefore, we should choose the singular verb 'is'.

The trousers ________ dirty.

• is

• are

Answer explanation

Trousers, pants, scissors, sunglasses and headphones are examples of plural-only nouns. With these nouns, we use only plural verbs.

The Prime Minister, together with his wife, ________ the press cordially.

• greet

• greets

Answer explanation

When there are commas separating the first noun from the second, we always only refer to the first noun to see if a singular or plural verb should be used. Since the Prime Minister is one person, we use the singular verb 'greets'.

The fangs of a rattlesnake ______ poisonous venom.

• carry

• carries

• carried

• carrying

Bread and butter ________ a perfect combination for breakfast.

• has

• have

• is

• are

Answer explanation

'Bread and butter' is taken together as one food item. Therefore, the singular verb 'is' should be used.

Everyone in my family ______ durians, except me.

• are liking

• were liking

• like

• likes