PSC SLE English Writing: Agreement and sentence heads

Every original question, with optional answers, explanations and official references. Open an answer to study, or take the test above for instant feedback.

1. Complete: The two colleagues who prepared the slides ____ waiting upstairs.

   1. is
   2. are
   3. am
   4. be
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: are

   The relative clause identifies the colleagues. The main subject remains plural, so the main verb is are.

   Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

   Official reference ↗

2. Complete: Two members of the panel ____ already signed the summary.

   1. have
   2. has
   3. is
   4. was
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: have

   Two members is plural, so the present-perfect auxiliary must be have. The singular panel does not control the verb.

   Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

   Official reference ↗

3. Complete: One of the labels ____ missing from the package.

   1. is
   2. are
   3. am
   4. be
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: is

   One is the singular head. Of the labels identifies the group from which that one label comes, but does not change agreement.

   Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

   Official reference ↗

4. Complete: Both printers ____ a maintenance check before use.

   1. requires
   2. requiring
   3. require
   4. to require
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: require

   Both printers is plural and takes the base present form require. Requires would agree with a singular third-person subject.

   Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

   Official reference ↗

5. Complete: These two proposals ____ ready for comparison.

   1. are
   2. is
   3. am
   4. be
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: are

   These two proposals is explicitly plural. Are agrees with that subject in a present-tense statement.

   Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

   Official reference ↗

6. Complete: The results of yesterday’s survey ____ available this morning.

   1. was
   2. were
   3. is
   4. am
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: were

   Results is a plural subject. Were is the only offered finite past form agreeing with it in this completed time context.

   Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

   Official reference ↗

7. Complete: The details in the message ____ incorrect.

   1. are
   2. is
   3. am
   4. be
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: are

   The plural head details controls agreement, even though message is singular. The finite present form is are.

   Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

   Official reference ↗

8. Complete: Each of the new badges ____ a unique number.

   1. have
   2. has
   3. are
   4. were
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: has

   Each is the singular head of the subject. The intervening plural badges does not change the required has.

   Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

   Official reference ↗

9. Complete: Every applicant ____ a confirmation email after registering.

   1. receive
   2. receiving
   3. to receive
   4. receives
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: receives

   Every applicant is grammatically singular. Receives supplies the third-person singular present verb.

   Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

   Official reference ↗

10. Complete: The equipment in the two storage rooms ____ regular inspection.

    1. need
    2. needing
    3. to need
    4. needs
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: needs

    Equipment is uncountable and singular. The plural rooms is only part of a modifier, so needs is required.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

11. Complete: The list of attendees ____ on the reception desk.

    1. are
    2. is
    3. am
    4. be
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: is

    The subject head is singular list, not plural attendees inside the prepositional phrase. Use is.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

12. Complete: Information about the deadline ____ available online.

    1. are
    2. am
    3. is
    4. be
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: is

    Information is an uncountable singular noun in this use. It takes is, not the plural are.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

13. Complete: The manager and the assistant ____ both attending the briefing.

    1. is
    2. am
    3. be
    4. are
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: are

    The sentence names two different people and reinforces that with both. Their compound subject takes are.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

14. Complete: The forms, together with the cover letter, ____ on the top shelf.

    1. is
    2. am
    3. are
    4. be
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: are

    Together with adds a parenthetical modifier; it does not make forms singular. The main plural subject takes are.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗