Subject-Verb Agreement — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The audience claps loudly when the play ended.
Audience is a collective noun acting as one unit, so it takes the singular verb 'claps'.
2. Math and science are my favorite subjects this year.
Two subjects joined by 'and' form a plural subject, so the verb is 'are'.
3. The orchestra plays a new song for tonight's concert.
Orchestra acts as one unit, so it pairs with the singular verb 'plays'.
4. Marco and his cousins stay at the same summer camp.
Marco and his cousins form a plural subject, so the verb is 'stay' without -s.
5. The jury agrees on a verdict after hours of discussion.
Jury is a collective noun acting as one unit, so it takes the singular verb 'agrees'.
6. Cookies and milk are a popular after-school snack.
Cookies and milk are two separate items, so the compound subject is plural and uses 'are'.
7. The crowd is cheering as the runners crossed the finish line.
Crowd acts as one unit, so it pairs with the singular verb 'is'.
8. Elena and Sam are working on a poster about the rainforest.
Compound subjects with 'and' are plural, so the verb is 'are'.
9. The swarm of bees buzzes near the old oak tree.
Swarm is a singular collective noun, so it takes the singular verb 'buzzes'.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
The band ___ at the football game tonight.
→ performs
performs
Apples and oranges ___ healthy snacks.
→ are
are
The pack of wolves ___ through the forest.
→ hunts
hunts
Pen and paper ___ all I need to start writing.
→ is
is
Band and pack act as single units (singular verbs). Apples and oranges are separate items (plural verb 'are'). Pen and paper here name one set of writing tools (singular verb 'is').