Subject-Verb Agreement — Set 01 Mock Test
Target: Odisha LTR, RHT, JT, OSSTET, & Competitive Exams
1. The captain, along with all his team members, ______ received a grand welcome at the airport.
- A) have
- B) has
- C) were
- D) are
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) has
Explanation: When two nouns are joined by phrases like 'along with', 'together with', 'as well as', or 'accompanied by', the verb strictly agrees with the first subject. Here, the first subject is 'The captain' (singular), so the singular auxiliary verb has is correct.
2. Neither the headmaster nor the teachers ______ present at the annual sports meeting.
- A) was
- B) were
- C) is
- D) has been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) were
Explanation: Under the rule of proximity for 'neither... nor' and 'either... or', the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. Here, the closer subject is 'the teachers' (plural), so the plural verb were is required.
3. Bread and butter ______ considered a wholesome breakfast in many households.
- A) are
- B) is
- C) were
- D) have been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) is
Explanation: When two nouns joined by 'and' express a single combined idea, dish, or unit, they take a singular verb. Here, 'Bread and butter' represents a single meal concept, so the singular verb is is used.
4. Each of the girls ______ submitted her assignment on time.
- A) have
- B) has
- C) are
- D) were
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) has
Explanation: The distributive pronoun 'Each' is singular in nature and always governs a singular verb, regardless of any plural noun that follows in the prepositional phrase ('of the girls'). Hence, has is correct.
5. A large number of candidates ______ appeared for the state selection examination.
- A) has
- B) have
- C) was
- D) is
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) have
Explanation: The phrase 'A number of' or 'A large number of' functions as an indefinite quantifier meaning 'many' and takes a plural verb. In contrast, 'The number of' denotes a specific figure and takes a singular verb. Therefore, have is correct.
6. The number of road accidents ______ significantly decreased over the past year.
- A) has
- B) have
- C) are
- D) were
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A) has
Explanation: The expression 'The number of' refers to the numerical value itself as a singular entity. It always takes a singular verb. Thus, has is the correct choice.
7. Mathematics ______ always been his favourite subject since childhood.
- A) have
- B) are
- C) has
- D) were
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C) has
Explanation: Names of academic disciplines, sciences, and branches of study ending in '-s' (such as Mathematics, Physics, Economics, Civics) are singular in meaning and require a singular verb. Hence, has is correct.
8. His mathematics ______ very weak, leading to poor scores in calculation tests.
- A) is
- B) are
- C) was
- D) has been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) are
Explanation: When a noun ending in '-s' like Mathematics, Statistics, or Politics is preceded by a possessive adjective ('his', 'my', 'her') or the definite article to denote practical calculations, abilities, or statistical figures rather than the subject itself, it takes a plural verb. Therefore, are is correct.
9. Not only the principal but also the students ______ enthusiastic about the cultural festival.
- A) was
- B) were
- C) is
- D) has been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) were
Explanation: In correlative conjunctions like 'not only... but also', the verb agrees with the subject adjacent to it. Here, 'the students' is plural and sits closer to the verb, so the plural verb were is used.
10. Ten thousand rupees ______ a generous amount for this charity project.
- A) are
- B) is
- C) were
- D) have been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) is
Explanation: Definite sums of money, periods of time, distances, or weights considered as a single collective aggregate take a singular verb. Thus, 'Ten thousand rupees' takes is.
11. Fifty kilometers ______ a long distance to travel on foot.
- A) are
- B) were
- C) is
- D) have been
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Correct Answer: C) is
Explanation: When a plural unit of distance (Fifty kilometers) is viewed as a single complete measurement or journey, it takes a singular verb. Hence, is is correct.
12. The jury ______ divided in their opinions regarding the verdict of the trial.
- A) was
- B) were
- C) has been
- D) is
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) were
Explanation: Collective nouns (jury, committee, council) take a singular verb when acting as a unified body, but take a plural verb when members act individually or are divided in opinion. The phrase 'divided in their opinions' demonstrates individual division, requiring were.
13. The committee ______ submitted its annual recommendations to the ministry.
- A) have
- B) has
- C) are
- D) were
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) has
Explanation: Here, 'The committee' acts unanimously as one single body, also indicated by the singular pronoun 'its'. Therefore, it takes the singular auxiliary verb has.
14. Many a student ______ failed to clear the preliminary screening test.
- A) have
- B) has
- C) are
- D) were
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) has
Explanation: The structure 'Many a / Many an' is followed by a singular countable noun and demands a singular verb, although its underlying meaning is plural. Thus, 'Many a student' takes has.
15. A great many workers ______ registered their protest outside the factory gates.
- A) has
- B) have
- C) was
- D) is
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) have
Explanation: The phrase 'A great many' or 'A good many' is always followed by a plural countable noun and requires a plural verb. Therefore, have is correct.
16. More than one applicant ______ found suitable for the administrative post.
- A) was
- B) were
- C) are
- D) have been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A) was
Explanation: The construction 'More than one + singular noun' strictly takes a singular verb according to formal grammatical rules, despite its plural sense. Thus, was is correct.
17. More applicants than one ______ disqualified on technical grounds.
- A) was
- B) were
- C) is
- D) has been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) were
Explanation: When the structure is 'More + plural noun + than one', the subject is plural ('applicants'), requiring a plural verb. Hence, were is the correct verb form.
18. Neither of the two proposals ______ acceptable to the board of directors.
- A) are
- B) were
- C) is
- D) have been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C) is
Explanation: 'Neither of' means 'not one nor the other of two' and takes a singular verb in standard formal grammar. Therefore, the singular verb is is correct.
19. One of my cousins ______ working as a research scientist at ISRO.
- A) are
- B) is
- C) were
- D) have been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) is
Explanation: In the pattern 'One of + plural noun', the real subject of the sentence is the pronoun 'One', which is singular. The verb must agree with 'One', making is the correct choice.
20. He is one of those brave officers who ______ awarded the medal of honour.
- A) was
- B) were
- C) is
- D) has been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) were
Explanation: In relative clauses introduced by 'who', 'which', or 'that' following 'one of those + plural noun', the relative pronoun refers to the plural antecedent ('those brave officers'). Therefore, the verb inside the relative clause must be plural: were.
21. This is the only one of his books that ______ worth reading repeatedly.
- A) is
- B) are
- C) were
- D) have been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A) is
Explanation: When 'only' precedes 'one of' ('the only one of...'), the focus shifts strictly to the single item rather than the plural group. The verb following the relative pronoun must therefore be singular: is.
22. The quality of these mangoes ______ not up to the export standard.
- A) are
- B) is
- C) were
- D) have been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) is
Explanation: The actual grammatical subject is the abstract noun 'The quality' (singular), not the object of the preposition 'these mangoes'. A singular subject requires a singular verb: is.
23. Two-thirds of the food grain ______ distributed among the flood victims.
- A) was
- B) were
- C) are
- D) have been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A) was
Explanation: With fractions and percentages (two-thirds, half, percentage of), the verb agrees with the noun following 'of'. Since 'the food grain' is an uncountable singular noun, the singular verb was is correct.
24. Two-thirds of the registered voters ______ cast their ballots by midday.
- A) has
- B) have
- C) was
- D) is
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) have
Explanation: Here, the fraction 'Two-thirds' is followed by a plural countable noun ('voters'). Fractions of plural countable nouns take plural verbs. Hence, have is correct.
25. The author and poet ______ invited to inaugurate the state literary meet.
- A) has been
- B) have been
- C) are
- D) were
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A) has been
Explanation: When two singular nouns joined by 'and' are preceded by an article ('The') before the first noun only, they denote a single individual holding both titles. Thus, the verb must be singular: has been.
26. The author and the poet ______ present on the dais during the conference.
- A) was
- B) were
- C) is
- D) has been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) were
Explanation: When an article ('The') is placed before both nouns joined by 'and' ('The author and the poet'), it indicates two separate individuals. Consequently, a plural verb is required: were.
27. Either you or he ______ responsible for making this administrative error.
- A) are
- B) is
- C) were
- D) have been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) is
Explanation: Under the proximity rule with 'either... or', the verb matches the subject closest to it. The pronoun 'he' is closest to the blank and requires the singular verb is.
28. Neither he nor I ______ willing to sign the disputed agreement.
- A) is
- B) am
- C) are
- D) were
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) am
Explanation: With 'neither... nor', the verb agrees in person and number with the nearest subject. Since 'I' is closest to the verb, the appropriate first-person singular verb is am.
29. Slow and steady ______ the race, as demonstrated in the famous fable.
- A) win
- B) wins
- C) have won
- D) are winning
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Correct Answer: B) wins
Explanation: Two adjectives acting together as a singular compound concept or proverb represent an indivisible idea and take a third-person singular present verb: wins.
30. No news ______ good news in such uncertain times.
- A) are
- B) is
- C) were
- D) have been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) is
Explanation: The noun 'News' is an uncountable noun ending in '-s' that is always treated as singular. Therefore, it takes the singular verb is.
31. The cattle ______ grazing peacefully in the green pasture.
- A) is
- B) was
- C) are
- D) has been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C) are
Explanation: Nouns such as 'cattle', 'clergy', 'gentry', 'poultry', and 'people' are singular in form without an '-s' suffix but are always plural in meaning and syntax. They take a plural verb: are.
32. The police ______ arrested the notorious burglar after a long chase.
- A) has
- B) have
- C) was
- D) is
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) have
Explanation: The collective noun 'Police' refers to the personnel collectively and is treated as plural in English grammar. It takes a plural auxiliary verb: have.
33. A pair of scissors ______ placed inside the drawer on the study table.
- A) are
- B) were
- C) is
- D) have been
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Correct Answer: C) is
Explanation: While dual-part garments and tools (scissors, trousers, binoculars, spectacles) are plural by default, when preceded by 'A pair of', the grammatical subject becomes 'pair' (singular), requiring a singular verb: is.
34. These scissors ______ extremely sharp and need careful handling.
- A) is
- B) was
- C) are
- D) has been
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Correct Answer: C) are
Explanation: Without the quantifying phrase 'a pair of', 'scissors' is plural and takes a plural demonstrative pronoun ('These') and a plural verb: are.
35. The furniture in our newly rented apartment ______ made of seasoned teak wood.
- A) are
- B) were
- C) is
- D) have been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C) is
Explanation: 'Furniture' is an uncountable noun in English. It has no plural form ('furnitures' is incorrect) and always takes a singular verb: is.
36. All the luggage ______ inspected thoroughly by security officials.
- A) was
- B) were
- C) are
- D) have been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A) was
Explanation: 'Luggage' and 'Baggage' are mass uncountable nouns and never take plural verbs, even when qualified by 'All'. Therefore, the singular verb was is correct.
37. Every man, woman, and child ______ provided with basic emergency relief supplies.
- A) were
- B) was
- C) are
- D) have been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) was
Explanation: When multiple singular subjects joined by 'and' are preceded by 'Every' or 'Each', they remain distributive and take a singular verb. Hence, was is correct.
38. Neither of the contestants ______ able to answer the tie-breaker question.
- A) were
- B) was
- C) are
- D) have been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) was
Explanation: 'Neither' refers to not one of the two individuals taken separately. It always functions as a singular subject and takes a singular verb: was.
39. The poet and politician ______ expired at his residence early this morning.
- A) has
- B) have
- C) were
- D) are
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: A) has
Explanation: The single article 'The' preceding 'poet and politician' combined with the singular possessive pronoun 'his residence' confirms that one person held both roles. Thus, the singular verb has is correct.
40. The majority of the residents ______ in favour of building a community park.
- A) is
- B) are
- C) was
- D) has been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) are
Explanation: When 'The majority of' is followed by a plural countable noun ('the residents'), it refers to a collective group of individuals and takes a plural verb: are.
41. Measles ______ a contagious viral disease that primarily affects children.
- A) are
- B) is
- C) were
- D) have been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) is
Explanation: Names of specific illnesses and diseases ending in '-s' (Measles, Mumps, Rickets, Shingles) are grammatically singular and require a singular verb: is.
42. The Arabian Nights ______ an acclaimed collection of Middle Eastern folk tales.
- A) are
- B) were
- C) is
- D) have been
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Correct Answer: C) is
Explanation: The title of a single book, movie, or work of art, even if plural in grammatical form ('The Arabian Nights', 'Gulliver's Travels'), takes a singular verb: is.
43. Physics ______ one of the core subjects in the senior secondary curriculum.
- A) are
- B) were
- C) is
- D) have been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C) is
Explanation: 'Physics' represents a single academic subject and therefore takes the singular verb is.
44. Not only the workers but also the supervisor ______ reprimanded for the delay.
- A) were
- B) was
- C) are
- D) have been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) was
Explanation: With 'not only... but also', the verb agrees with the closer subject. 'The supervisor' is singular and closest to the verb, so was is correct.
45. Either the cat or the dogs ______ responsible for overturning the flower pot.
- A) is
- B) was
- C) are
- D) has been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C) are
Explanation: Under the rule of proximity, the verb agrees with the nearer subject. 'The dogs' is plural, requiring the plural verb are.
46. Either the dogs or the cat ______ hiding under the porch.
- A) are
- B) is
- C) were
- D) have been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) is
Explanation: Here, 'the cat' is the closer subject to the verb. Because 'the cat' is singular, the verb must also be singular: is.
47. Gulliver's Travels ______ written by the renowned satirist Jonathan Swift.
- A) were
- B) was
- C) are
- D) have been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) was
Explanation: 'Gulliver's Travels' is the title of a single literary work and requires a singular verb: was.
48. The teacher, as well as the students, ______ excited about the excursion trip.
- A) were
- B) was
- C) are
- D) have been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) was
Explanation: When subjects are connected by 'as well as', the verb agrees entirely with the first subject. Since 'The teacher' is singular, the singular verb was is correct.
49. The students, as well as the teacher, ______ working hard for the annual exhibition.
- A) is
- B) was
- C) are
- D) has been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: C) are
Explanation: The first subject 'The students' is plural. When linked by 'as well as', the intervening phrase does not affect agreement, so the plural verb are must be used.
50. A bouquet of yellow roses ______ presented to the chief guest upon arrival.
- A) were
- B) was
- C) are
- D) have been
👉 Touch to Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: B) was
Explanation: The subject of the sentence is the collective head noun 'A bouquet' (singular), not the object of the preposition 'yellow roses'. Thus, the singular verb was is required.