Subject-Verb Agreement — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Which sentence shows correct subject-verb agreement using the subject 'the news'?
A) The news about the storm are alarming residents.
B) The news about the storm is alarming residents.
C) The news about the storm were alarming residents.
D) The news about the storm have alarmed residents.
Even though 'news' ends in -s, it is uncountable and singular, so it pairs with the singular verb 'is.'
2. Which sentence correctly uses 'a number of' with the right verb form for Grade 5 writing?
A) A number of students has joined the chess club.
B) A number of students is joining the chess club.
C) A number of students have joined the chess club.
D) A number of students was joining the chess club.
'A number of' refers to multiple individuals and takes a plural verb, so 'have joined' is the correct choice.
3. Which sentence correctly pairs 'each of the runners' with its verb?
A) Each of the runners are stretching their legs.
B) Each of the runners were stretching their legs.
C) Each of the runners stretching their legs.
D) Each of the runners is stretching their legs.
The indefinite pronoun 'each' is always singular, so the verb must be singular: 'is stretching.'
4. Which sentence shows correct agreement when the subject is 'mathematics'?
A) Mathematics challenge me, but I keep practicing daily.
B) Mathematics are challenging me, but I keep practicing.
C) Mathematics challenges me, but I keep practicing daily.
D) Mathematics were challenging me daily.
Like physics and economics, 'mathematics' names one academic field, so it takes a singular verb with the -s ending.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. Everybody on both fifth-grade soccer teams is excited about the upcoming tournament next Saturday.
Indefinite pronouns ending in -body are singular, so they require singular verbs even when groups are mentioned.
2. Several of the new library books about ocean ecosystems have been checked out by curious students.
'Several' is a plural indefinite pronoun, so it pairs with plural verbs such as 'have' in present perfect tense.
3. The committee of student council members is deciding which charity to support this winter season.
Collective nouns like committee take singular verbs when members act together as a single decision-making body.
4. Neither the fifth graders nor their teacher is ready to leave the science museum yet today.
With 'neither...nor,' the verb agrees with the nearer subject. 'Teacher' is singular, so the verb is 'is.'
5. Five hundred dollars is the goal our class hopes to raise during the spring book fair.
When sums of money refer to one total amount, they take singular verbs even though the number is large and plural-looking.