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SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
Class VII English Grammar — Test Paper Set 2 (Intermediate)
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General Instructions:
1. All questions are compulsory.
2. Section A: 5 questions of 1 mark each (5 marks).
3. Section B: 5 questions of 2 marks each (10 marks).
4. Section C: 5 questions of 3 marks each (15 marks).
5. Write neat and clear answers with proper reasoning.
1. All questions are compulsory.
2. Section A: 5 questions of 1 mark each (5 marks).
3. Section B: 5 questions of 2 marks each (10 marks).
4. Section C: 5 questions of 3 marks each (15 marks).
5. Write neat and clear answers with proper reasoning.
Section A — Fill in the Blanks [5 × 1 = 5]
Q1.1
The number of accidents on this road __________ (has/have) increased this year.
Q2.1
Neither the principal nor the teachers __________ (was/were) informed about the change.
Q3.1
Fifteen minutes __________ (is/are) enough time for this quiz.
Q4.1
The committee __________ (has/have) given their individual opinions on the matter.
Q5.1
Either Sita or her sisters __________ (is/are) coming to the function.
Section B — Spot the Error & Rewrite [5 × 2 = 10]
Q6.2
Find the error, underline it, and rewrite correctly:
The quality of these mangoes are not good.
The quality of these mangoes are not good.
Q7.2
Find the error, underline it, and rewrite correctly:
Not only the students but also the teacher were surprised by the result.
Not only the students but also the teacher were surprised by the result.
Q8.2
Find the error, underline it, and rewrite correctly:
Many a student have failed in the examination this year.
Many a student have failed in the examination this year.
Q9.2
Find the error, underline it, and rewrite correctly:
The cattle is grazing in the field near the river.
The cattle is grazing in the field near the river.
Q10.2
Find the error, underline it, and rewrite correctly:
Rice and curry are my favourite dish.
Rice and curry are my favourite dish.
Section C — Apply and Explain [5 × 3 = 15]
Q11.3
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb given in brackets. State the rule for each:
(a) A pair of shoes __________ (is/are) lying under the bed.
(b) The audience __________ (was/were) clapping loudly after the performance.
(a) A pair of shoes __________ (is/are) lying under the bed.
(b) The audience __________ (was/were) clapping loudly after the performance.
Q12.3
Explain why the following sentence is correct or incorrect. If incorrect, rewrite it:
“Each of the boys and girls have brought their lunch boxes.”
“Each of the boys and girls have brought their lunch boxes.”
Q13.3
Write three sentences of your own using the following subjects with correct verbs:
(a) Neither...nor (with mixed singular and plural subjects)
(b) A group of children
(c) Measles
(a) Neither...nor (with mixed singular and plural subjects)
(b) A group of children
(c) Measles
Q14.3
Read the passage and correct all subject-verb agreement errors (there are 3 errors):
“The bouquet of red roses smell wonderful. Everyone in the class are happy today. Two-thirds of the cake have been eaten by the children.”
“The bouquet of red roses smell wonderful. Everyone in the class are happy today. Two-thirds of the cake have been eaten by the children.”
Q15.3
Explain the difference in meaning and verb usage between:
(a) “The number of visitors has increased.”
(b) “A number of visitors have arrived.”
Why do they take different verbs?
(a) “The number of visitors has increased.”
(b) “A number of visitors have arrived.”
Why do they take different verbs?
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Answer Key & Solutions
Q1.
has — “The number of” is a definite expression and takes a singular verb.
Q2.
were — With “neither...nor”, the verb agrees with the nearer subject “teachers” (plural).
Q3.
is — A period of time used as a single unit takes a singular verb.
Q4.
have — When a collective noun refers to individual members acting separately, it takes a plural verb. Here, “their individual opinions” shows members acted separately.
Q5.
are — With “either...or”, the verb agrees with the nearer subject “sisters” (plural).
Q6.
Error: “are” should be “is”.
“The quality of these mangoes is not good.”
The subject is “quality” (singular), not “mangoes”.
“The quality of these mangoes is not good.”
The subject is “quality” (singular), not “mangoes”.
Q7.
Error: “were” should be “was”.
“Not only the students but also the teacher was surprised by the result.”
With “not only...but also”, the verb agrees with the nearer subject “teacher” (singular).
“Not only the students but also the teacher was surprised by the result.”
With “not only...but also”, the verb agrees with the nearer subject “teacher” (singular).
Q8.
Error: “have” should be “has”.
“Many a student has failed in the examination this year.”
“Many a” takes a singular verb even though it implies many.
“Many a student has failed in the examination this year.”
“Many a” takes a singular verb even though it implies many.
Q9.
Error: “is” should be “are”.
“The cattle are grazing in the field near the river.”
“Cattle” is always treated as a plural noun.
“The cattle are grazing in the field near the river.”
“Cattle” is always treated as a plural noun.
Q10.
Error: “are” should be “is”.
“Rice and curry is my favourite dish.”
When two nouns together form a single dish/concept, a singular verb is used.
“Rice and curry is my favourite dish.”
When two nouns together form a single dish/concept, a singular verb is used.
Q11.
(a) is — “A pair of shoes” is treated as a single unit, so singular verb.
(b) was — “Audience” here acts as one group clapping together, so singular verb. (Note: “were” is also acceptable if the audience members are seen as acting individually.)
(b) was — “Audience” here acts as one group clapping together, so singular verb. (Note: “were” is also acceptable if the audience members are seen as acting individually.)
Q12.
The sentence is incorrect.
Corrected: “Each of the boys and girls has brought their lunch box.”
Explanation: “Each of” makes the subject singular, so the verb must be “has”, not “have”.
Corrected: “Each of the boys and girls has brought their lunch box.”
Explanation: “Each of” makes the subject singular, so the verb must be “has”, not “have”.
Q13.
Sample answers:
(a) Neither Aman nor his cousins were invited to the party. (Verb agrees with nearer plural subject.)
(b) A group of children is playing in the park. (Collective noun as a unit takes singular verb.)
(c) Measles is a dangerous disease for young children. (Disease name takes singular verb.)
(a) Neither Aman nor his cousins were invited to the party. (Verb agrees with nearer plural subject.)
(b) A group of children is playing in the park. (Collective noun as a unit takes singular verb.)
(c) Measles is a dangerous disease for young children. (Disease name takes singular verb.)
Q14.
Corrected passage:
“The bouquet of red roses smells wonderful. Everyone in the class is happy today. Two-thirds of the cake has been eaten by the children.”
Error 1: “smell” → “smells” (subject is “bouquet”, singular).
Error 2: “are” → “is” (“everyone” is singular).
Error 3: “have” → “has” (“cake” is uncountable/singular, so the fraction takes singular verb).
“The bouquet of red roses smells wonderful. Everyone in the class is happy today. Two-thirds of the cake has been eaten by the children.”
Error 1: “smell” → “smells” (subject is “bouquet”, singular).
Error 2: “are” → “is” (“everyone” is singular).
Error 3: “have” → “has” (“cake” is uncountable/singular, so the fraction takes singular verb).
Q15.
“The number of” refers to a specific count/figure — it is a singular expression, hence takes “has”.
“A number of” means “many/several” — it is a plural expression, hence takes “have”.
The key difference is that “the number” focuses on the number itself (one figure), while “a number” focuses on the people/things being counted (many).
“A number of” means “many/several” — it is a plural expression, hence takes “have”.
The key difference is that “the number” focuses on the number itself (one figure), while “a number” focuses on the people/things being counted (many).