Grammar exercise designed to test knowledge of verb agreement with correlative conjunctions.

Problem Explanation:

The task involves selecting the correct verb to complete sentences using the structures "Either...or" and "Neither...nor." These structures follow specific subject-verb agreement rules:

1. "Either...or" and "Neither...nor" follow the principle of proximity agreement (also known as subject-verb concord by proximity). This means the verb agrees with the noun or pronoun closest to it.
- If the noun closest to the verb is singular, use a singular verb.
- If the noun closest to the verb is plural, use a plural verb.

Solution:

#### 1. Either Dave or Ian (repairs / repair) cars.
- The noun closest to the verb is "Ian," which is singular.
- Correct verb: repairs
- Sentence: Either Dave or Ian repairs cars.

#### 2. Either the horses or the cows (feeds / feed) there.
- The noun closest to the verb is "cows," which is plural.
- Correct verb: feed
- Sentence: Either the horses or the cows feed there.

#### 3. Either the balloons or the banner (creates / create) a cheerful atmosphere.
- The noun closest to the verb is "banner," which is singular.
- Correct verb: creates
- Sentence: Either the balloons or the banner creates a cheerful atmosphere.

#### 4. Either that dog or its puppies (have / has) to go!
- The noun closest to the verb is "puppies," which is plural.
- Correct verb: have
- Sentence: Either that dog or its puppies have to go!

#### 5. Either the protestors or their leader (is being / are being) arrested.
- The noun closest to the verb is "leader," which is singular.
- Correct verb: is being
- Sentence: Either the protestors or their leader is being arrested.

#### 6. Neither the watch nor the ring (were / was) sold.
- The noun closest to the verb is "ring," which is singular.
- Correct verb: was
- Sentence: Neither the watch nor the ring was sold.

#### 7. Neither the bus nor the taxi (arrive / arrives) on time.
- The noun closest to the verb is "taxi," which is singular.
- Correct verb: arrives
- Sentence: Neither the bus nor the taxi arrives on time.

#### 8. Neither these ornaments nor those decorations (suits / suit) this room.
- The noun closest to the verb is "decorations," which is plural.
- Correct verb: suit
- Sentence: Neither these ornaments nor those decorations suit this room.

#### 9. Neither my peppers nor my pineapple plant (look / looks) healthy.
- The noun closest to the verb is "pineapple plant," which is singular.
- Correct verb: looks
- Sentence: Neither my peppers nor my pineapple plant looks healthy.

#### 10. Neither the employees nor their employer (attend / attends) the meeting.
- The noun closest to the verb is "employer," which is singular.
- Correct verb: attends
- Sentence: Neither the employees nor their employer attends the meeting.

#### 11. Either venue (is / are) okay.
- The noun "venue" is singular.
- Correct verb: is
- Sentence: Either venue is okay.

#### 12. Either room (has been / have been) made available.
- The noun "room" is singular.
- Correct verb: has been
- Sentence: Either room has been made available.

#### 13. Neither baby (smile / smiles) with me.
- The noun "baby" is singular.
- Correct verb: smiles
- Sentence: Neither baby smiles with me.

#### 14. Neither boat (look / looks) safe.
- The noun "boat" is singular.
- Correct verb: looks
- Sentence: Neither boat looks safe.

#### 15. Neither meal (seems / seem) ready.
- The noun "meal" is singular.
- Correct verb: seems
- Sentence: Neither meal seems ready.

Final Answers:

1. repairs
2. feed
3. creates
4. have
5. is being
6. was
7. arrives
8. suit
9. looks
10. attends
11. is
12. has been
13. smiles
14. looks
15. seems

Final Answer:
\boxed{
\begin{array}{l}
1. \text{repairs} \\
2. \text{feed} \\
3. \text{creates} \\
4. \text{have} \\
5. \text{is being} \\
6. \text{was} \\
7. \text{arrives} \\
8. \text{suit} \\
9. \text{looks} \\
10. \text{attends} \\
11. \text{is} \\
12. \text{has been} \\
13. \text{smiles} \\
14. \text{looks} \\
15. \text{seems} \\
\end{array}
}