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SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
Class VII English Grammar — Test Paper Set 3 (Advanced)
Preeti Kushwah Classes
General Instructions:
1. All questions are compulsory (except the Bonus).
2. Section A: 6 × 1 = 6 marks.
3. Section B: 5 × 2 = 10 marks.
4. Section C: 4 × 3 = 12 marks.
5. Section D: 2 × 5 = 10 marks.
6. Bonus: 1 × 2 = 2 marks (optional).
7. This is an advanced paper. Think carefully!
1. All questions are compulsory (except the Bonus).
2. Section A: 6 × 1 = 6 marks.
3. Section B: 5 × 2 = 10 marks.
4. Section C: 4 × 3 = 12 marks.
5. Section D: 2 × 5 = 10 marks.
6. Bonus: 1 × 2 = 2 marks (optional).
7. This is an advanced paper. Think carefully!
Section A — Choose the Correct Verb [6 × 1 = 6]
Q1.1
The scissors __________ (is/are) kept in the top drawer.
Q2.1
Two-thirds of the milk __________ (has/have) been consumed.
Q3.1
There __________ (is/are) many reasons to celebrate today.
Q4.1
No news __________ (is/are) good news.
Q5.1
Neither of the two answers __________ (is/are) correct.
Q6.1
The United States __________ (is/are) a large country.
Section B — Error Correction with Reasoning [5 × 2 = 10]
Q7.2
Correct the error and state the rule:
The wages of sin are death.
The wages of sin are death.
Q8.2
Correct the error and state the rule:
Neither Meera nor Radha have completed the project.
Neither Meera nor Radha have completed the project.
Q9.2
Correct the error and state the rule:
Slow and steady win the race.
Slow and steady win the race.
Q10.2
Correct the error and state the rule:
Half of the apples was rotten when we opened the box.
Half of the apples was rotten when we opened the box.
Q11.2
Correct the error and state the rule:
The rich does not always understand the problems of the poor.
The rich does not always understand the problems of the poor.
Section C — Application Based [4 × 3 = 12]
Q12.3
Rewrite the following passage correcting all subject-verb agreement errors (there are 4 errors):
“The jury has given their verdict. Each of the accused were found guilty. Neither the lawyer nor his assistants was able to save them. The public were outraged by the decision.”
“The jury has given their verdict. Each of the accused were found guilty. Neither the lawyer nor his assistants was able to save them. The public were outraged by the decision.”
Q13.3
Explain the agreement rule and fill in the correct verb for each:
(a) Not only Raman but also his brothers __________ (play/plays) cricket.
(b) The poet and philosopher __________ (is/are) dead. (one person)
(c) The poet and the philosopher __________ (is/are) dead. (two persons)
(a) Not only Raman but also his brothers __________ (play/plays) cricket.
(b) The poet and philosopher __________ (is/are) dead. (one person)
(c) The poet and the philosopher __________ (is/are) dead. (two persons)
Q14.3
Construct correct sentences using:
(a) “A lot of” + uncountable noun + singular verb
(b) “A lot of” + countable noun + plural verb
(c) “None of” + plural noun + singular verb
(a) “A lot of” + uncountable noun + singular verb
(b) “A lot of” + countable noun + plural verb
(c) “None of” + plural noun + singular verb
Q15.3
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb and explain each choice:
(a) Five hundred rupees __________ (is/are) a large amount for a child.
(b) The staff __________ (has/have) been asked to submit their individual reports.
(c) One of the boys who __________ (was/were) playing got injured.
(a) Five hundred rupees __________ (is/are) a large amount for a child.
(b) The staff __________ (has/have) been asked to submit their individual reports.
(c) One of the boys who __________ (was/were) playing got injured.
Section D — Higher Order Thinking [2 × 5 = 10]
Q16.5
Read the following paragraph and answer the questions that follow:
“The class enjoy their annual picnic every year. This year, a large number of students is going to Agra. Neither the bus driver nor the teachers knows the exact route. The committee have arranged everything well. Each student and each teacher are expected to be on time.”
(a) Identify and correct all the errors. (3 marks)
(b) State the rule for any two corrections. (2 marks)
“The class enjoy their annual picnic every year. This year, a large number of students is going to Agra. Neither the bus driver nor the teachers knows the exact route. The committee have arranged everything well. Each student and each teacher are expected to be on time.”
(a) Identify and correct all the errors. (3 marks)
(b) State the rule for any two corrections. (2 marks)
Q17.5
Write a paragraph (5–6 sentences) about “My School” using at least five different subject-verb agreement rules. Underline the subjects and circle the verbs. Mention the rule numbers used.
Rules to use: collective noun, either...or, every, uncountable noun, “the number of” (or any 5 different rules).
Rules to use: collective noun, either...or, every, uncountable noun, “the number of” (or any 5 different rules).
Bonus Question (Optional) [1 × 2 = 2]
Q18.2HARD
Explain with examples why the sentence below can be correct with BOTH “is” and “are” depending on the meaning:
“The team ______ ready for the match.”
“The team ______ ready for the match.”
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Answer Key & Solutions
Q1.
are — “Scissors” is always plural (instrument with two parts).
Q2.
has — “Milk” is uncountable; the fraction of an uncountable noun takes a singular verb.
Q3.
are — In “there + be” sentences, the verb agrees with the real subject “reasons” (plural).
Q4.
is — “News” is uncountable and always takes a singular verb.
Q5.
is — “Neither of” means “not one of the two” and takes a singular verb.
Q6.
is — “The United States” is a single country name and takes a singular verb.
Q7.
“The wages of sin is death.”
Rule: “Wages” here means “reward/consequence” (singular meaning), not “salary”. When “wages” means consequence, it takes a singular verb.
Rule: “Wages” here means “reward/consequence” (singular meaning), not “salary”. When “wages” means consequence, it takes a singular verb.
Q8.
“Neither Meera nor Radha has completed the project.”
Rule: When both subjects in “neither...nor” are singular, the verb is singular.
Rule: When both subjects in “neither...nor” are singular, the verb is singular.
Q9.
“Slow and steady wins the race.”
Rule: When two adjectives joined by “and” describe the same quality/idea, they take a singular verb.
Rule: When two adjectives joined by “and” describe the same quality/idea, they take a singular verb.
Q10.
“Half of the apples were rotten when we opened the box.”
Rule: Fractions take plural verbs when referring to countable plural nouns (“apples”).
Rule: Fractions take plural verbs when referring to countable plural nouns (“apples”).
Q11.
“The rich do not always understand the problems of the poor.”
Rule: “The + adjective” (the rich, the poor) refers to a class of people and takes a plural verb.
Rule: “The + adjective” (the rich, the poor) refers to a class of people and takes a plural verb.
Q12.
Corrected passage:
“The jury have given their verdict. Each of the accused was found guilty. Neither the lawyer nor his assistants were able to save them. The public were outraged by the decision.”
Error 1: “has” → “have” (jury members giving individual opinions → plural).
Error 2: “were” → “was” (“each of” takes singular verb).
Error 3: “was” → “were” (verb agrees with nearer subject “assistants”, plural).
Error 4: “The public were” is actually correct here (members acting individually). No change needed. (If students mark this, accept both “was” and “were” with proper reasoning.)
“The jury have given their verdict. Each of the accused was found guilty. Neither the lawyer nor his assistants were able to save them. The public were outraged by the decision.”
Error 1: “has” → “have” (jury members giving individual opinions → plural).
Error 2: “were” → “was” (“each of” takes singular verb).
Error 3: “was” → “were” (verb agrees with nearer subject “assistants”, plural).
Error 4: “The public were” is actually correct here (members acting individually). No change needed. (If students mark this, accept both “was” and “were” with proper reasoning.)
Q13.
(a) play — “Not only...but also”: verb agrees with nearer subject “brothers” (plural).
(b) is — Single article before compound subjects means one person who is both a poet and philosopher (singular).
(c) are — Separate articles (“the poet” and “the philosopher”) mean two different people (plural).
(b) is — Single article before compound subjects means one person who is both a poet and philosopher (singular).
(c) are — Separate articles (“the poet” and “the philosopher”) mean two different people (plural).
Q14.
Sample answers:
(a) A lot of water is wasted during the festival. (uncountable → singular verb)
(b) A lot of students are participating in the competition. (countable plural → plural verb)
(c) None of the passengers was injured in the accident. (formal usage: “none” = “not one” → singular)
(a) A lot of water is wasted during the festival. (uncountable → singular verb)
(b) A lot of students are participating in the competition. (countable plural → plural verb)
(c) None of the passengers was injured in the accident. (formal usage: “none” = “not one” → singular)
Q15.
(a) is — An amount of money treated as a single sum takes a singular verb.
(b) have — “Staff” here refers to individual members (submitting their own reports), so plural.
(c) were — “Who” refers to “boys” (plural), so the verb in the relative clause is plural.
(b) have — “Staff” here refers to individual members (submitting their own reports), so plural.
(c) were — “Who” refers to “boys” (plural), so the verb in the relative clause is plural.
Q16.
(a) Corrections:
1. “enjoy” → “enjoys” (class as a single unit → singular).
2. “is going” → “are going” (“a large number of students” → plural).
3. “knows” → “know” (neither...nor: verb agrees with nearer subject “teachers”, plural).
4. “are expected” → “is expected” (“each...and each...” takes singular verb).
(b) Rules (any two):
Rule 1: Collective nouns acting as a unit take singular verbs.
Rule 2: “A number of” means many and takes plural verb.
Rule 3: “Neither...nor” — verb agrees with the nearer subject.
Rule 4: “Each...and each...” always takes a singular verb.
1. “enjoy” → “enjoys” (class as a single unit → singular).
2. “is going” → “are going” (“a large number of students” → plural).
3. “knows” → “know” (neither...nor: verb agrees with nearer subject “teachers”, plural).
4. “are expected” → “is expected” (“each...and each...” takes singular verb).
(b) Rules (any two):
Rule 1: Collective nouns acting as a unit take singular verbs.
Rule 2: “A number of” means many and takes plural verb.
Rule 3: “Neither...nor” — verb agrees with the nearer subject.
Rule 4: “Each...and each...” always takes a singular verb.
Q17.
Model answer:
“My school is one of the best in Indore. The team of teachers works very hard (collective noun rule). Either the principal or the teachers organise events every month (either...or rule). Every student and every teacher participates in the annual function (every rule). The furniture in the classrooms is well-maintained (uncountable noun rule). The number of students has increased this year (“the number of” rule).”
(Award marks for using 5 different rules correctly with proper sentence structure.)
“My school is one of the best in Indore. The team of teachers works very hard (collective noun rule). Either the principal or the teachers organise events every month (either...or rule). Every student and every teacher participates in the annual function (every rule). The furniture in the classrooms is well-maintained (uncountable noun rule). The number of students has increased this year (“the number of” rule).”
(Award marks for using 5 different rules correctly with proper sentence structure.)
Q18. Bonus
“The team is ready” — used when the team is acting as one single unit. Example: “The team is ready for the match” (they are prepared as a whole group).
“The team are ready” — used when the members of the team are seen as individuals. Example: “The team are putting on their jerseys and getting ready” (each member is doing their own thing).
This is the collective noun rule: singular when acting as a unit, plural when members act individually.
“The team are ready” — used when the members of the team are seen as individuals. Example: “The team are putting on their jerseys and getting ready” (each member is doing their own thing).
This is the collective noun rule: singular when acting as a unit, plural when members act individually.