Question

exercise 1: choose the verb
circle the verb in parentheses that agrees with the subject of the sentence.

1. an opera house, like those in tombstone, leadville, and other towns, still (stands, stand) today.
2. pool tables or even tree stumps (makes, make) serviceable stages.
3. several factors (plays, play) a role in determining where to stage a play.
4. anyone on stage (is, are) a target for fruit - throwing patrons.
5. (do, does) the arrival of the troupe cause excitement in the town?
6. neither denver nor boulder (gets, get) as cold as aspen.
7. the director is someone who (knows, know) how to get the most from actors.
8. five years (is, are) a long time to be on the road.
9. both of the buildings (was, were) built in the same year.
10. twenty dollars (is, are) how much it costs to ride the stage to carson city.

exercise 2: identify the sentence error
one of the underlined words or phrases may contain a grammatical error. if there is one, choose the underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct, and fill in the corresponding oval. if the sentence has no error, fill in answer choice e.
example
all of the members of the cast has to put on their own costumes. no error
a b c d e
b is the correct choice because the indefinite pronoun all is referring to the plural noun members, so the sentence requires the plural verb have.

1. actors often had to dodge flying fruit while onstage. no error

a b c d e

Explanation:

• Exercise 1:
• Question 1: The subject is “An opera house” (singular), so the verb should be “stands” (singular).
• Question 2: The subject is “Pool tables or even tree stumps” (plural), so the verb should be “make” (plural).
• Question 3: The subject is “Several factors” (plural), so the verb should be “play” (plural).
• Question 4: The subject is “Anyone” (singular), so the verb should be “is” (singular).
• Question 5: The subject is “the arrival” (singular), so the verb should be “Does” (singular).
• Question 6: When using “Neither... nor...”, the verb agrees with the nearest subject. Here, “Boulder” is singular, so the verb should be “gets” (singular).
• Question 7: The subject is “someone” (singular), so the verb should be “knows” (singular).
• Question 8: “Five years” is considered a single unit (time), so the verb should be “is” (singular).
• Question 9: The subject is “Both of the buildings” (plural), so the verb should be “were” (plural).
• Question 10: “Twenty dollars” is considered a single unit (amount of money), so the verb should be “is” (singular).
• Exercise 2:
• Question 1: The sentence “Actors often had to dodge flying fruit while onstage. No error” has no grammatical error. “Actors” (plural subject), “had” (past - tense plural verb), “dodge” (base form after “had to”), and “onstage” (correct adverbial phrase) are all used correctly.

Answer:

• Exercise 1:

1. stands
2. make
3. play
4. is
5. Does
6. gets
7. knows
8. is
9. were
10. is

• Exercise 2:

1. E