Let's go through each question in the
Subject-Verb Agreement quiz and solve them step by step with explanations.
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1. Forest Fires (destroys, destroy) millions of trees each year.
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Correct answer: A. destroy
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Explanation: "Forest Fires" is a plural subject (multiple fires), so it needs a plural verb.
→ "Destroy" is the plural form of the verb.
✔ Answer: A. destroy
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2. (Has, Have) rabbits destroyed your garden this summer?
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Correct answer: A. have
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Explanation: "Rabbits" is plural, so we use the plural auxiliary verb "have".
→ "Have rabbits destroyed..." is correct.
✔ Answer: A. have
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3. Here (is, are) the garden chairs for your party.
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Correct answer: B. are
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Explanation: The subject is "the garden chairs", which is plural. Even though "here" starts the sentence, the verb must agree with the noun that follows.
→ "Are" matches "chairs".
✔ Answer: B. are
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4. (Is, Are) the eighth graders organizing the school picnic?
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Correct answer: B. Are
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Explanation: "The eighth graders" is a plural subject, so the verb must be plural: "Are".
✔ Answer: B. Are
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5. The fangs of a rattlesnake (carries, carry) poison to its prey.
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Correct answer: B. carry
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Explanation: Although "fangs" is plural, the phrase "of a rattlesnake" modifies it, but the subject remains "fangs" — which is plural. So, the verb should be plural: "carry".
✔ Answer: B. carry
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6. Apartments in this neighborhood (is, are) inexpensive.
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Correct answer: A. are
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Explanation: "Apartments" is plural, so the verb must be plural: "are".
✔ Answer: A. are
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7. The teacher, as well as his students, ________ asleep in the classroom.
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Correct answer: C. was
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Explanation: This is a common tricky rule. The phrase "as well as his students" adds extra information but does
not make the subject plural. The main subject is "The teacher" — singular. So, the verb should be singular: "was".
> Note: "As well as" introduces a non-essential clause and doesn't affect subject-verb agreement.
✔ Answer: C. was
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8. Jack or Jill (collects, collect) the pail for the water.
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Correct answer: B. collects
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Explanation: When using "or" between two subjects, the verb agrees with the
subject closest to it. In this case, "Jill" is singular, so the verb should be singular: "collects".
✔ Answer: B. collects
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9. The fire blazing in the fireplace and the cat sleeping in front of it (make, makes) a charming scene.
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Correct answer: A. make
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Explanation: The subject is a compound subject: "The fire... and the cat..." — two things, so plural. Therefore, the verb should be plural: "make".
✔ Answer: A. make
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✔ Final Answers:
| Question | Answer |
|--------|--------|
| 1 | A. destroy |
| 2 | A. have |
| 3 | B. are |
| 4 | B. Are |
| 5 | B. carry |
| 6 | A. are |
| 7 | C. was |
| 8 | B. collects |
| 9 | A. make |
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Let me know if you'd like a printable version or explanation in simpler terms!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of printable worksheets subject verb agreement.
