Fill in the blanks
1The problems of the poor ............... often overlooked.
Wrong!
The plural subject "problems" takes the plural verb "are".
2The quality of these apples ............... not very good.
Wrong!
The singular subject "quality" takes the singular verb "is".
3The introduction of reforms ............... benefitted the nation greatly.
Wrong!
The singular subject "introduction" takes the singular auxiliary "has".
4His knowledge of Indian languages ............... commendable.
Wrong!
The singular subject "knowledge" takes the singular verb "is".
5The state of his affairs ............... a cause for concern.
Wrong!
The singular subject "state" takes the singular past verb "was".
6............... your father and mother at home?
Wrong!
The compound subject "your father and mother" takes the plural verb "Are".
7He and I ............... cousins.
Wrong!
The compound subject "He and I" takes the plural verb "are".
8Time and tide ............... for no man.
Wrong!
The fixed expression "Time and tide" takes the singular verb "waits".
9The rise and fall of the tide ............... due to lunar influence.
Wrong!
The idea "rise and fall" is treated as one process, so the correct verb is "is".
10The writer and painter ............... no more.
Wrong!
The phrase "The writer and painter" refers to one person here, so the correct verb is "is".
11The house, with its furniture and appliances, ............... insured.
Wrong!
The subject is "house", so the correct verb is "is".
12The ship, with its crew, ............... sunk.
Wrong!
The subject is "ship", so the correct auxiliary is "has".
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- The problems of the poor are often overlooked.
- The quality of these apples is not very good.
- The introduction of reforms has benefitted the nation greatly.
- His knowledge of Indian languages is commendable.
- The state of his affairs was a cause for concern.
- Are your father and mother at home?
- He and I are cousins.
- Time and tide waits for no man.
- The rise and fall of the tide is due to lunar influence.
- The writer and painter is no more.
- The house, with its furniture and appliances, is insured.
- The ship, with its crew, has sunk.

