10th class, board examination, English grammar, ---Subject and Verb agreement.
10th Class · English Grammar · Board Exam 2026
Each question carries 1 mark. No negative marking. Choose the correct form of the verb that agrees with the subject.
Q1. Each of the students ______ expected to submit the assignment by Friday.
(A) are
(B) were
(C) is
(D) have been
Q2. The news about the floods ______ very disturbing to the villagers.
(A) were
(B) is
(C) are
(D) have been
Q3. Neither the principal nor the teachers ______ present at the meeting yesterday.
(A) was
(B) is
(C) were
(D) has been
Q4. Bread and butter ______ his only breakfast every morning.
(A) are
(B) were
(C) is
(D) have been
Q5. A number of students ______ absent on the day of the examination.
(A) was
(B) were
(C) is
(D) has been
Q6. The committee ______ divided in its opinion on the new proposal.
(A) are
(B) were
(C) is
(D) have been
Q7. Not only Ravi but also his brothers ______ involved in the charity work.
(A) is
(B) was
(C) are
(D) has been
Q8. Ten kilometres ______ too long a distance for an elderly person to walk daily.
(A) are
(B) were
(C) is
(D) have been
Q9. The rich ______ not always happy; the poor ______ not always sad.
(A) is … is
(B) are … are
(C) was … was
(D) has … has
Q10. The number of accidents on this highway ______ increased sharply this year.
(A) have
(B) are
(C) has
(D) were
✅ Answers with Explanation
| Q | Answer | Rule / Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | (C) is | Each / Every / Either / Neither — always take a singular verb. "Each of the students" → the subject is each (singular) → is. |
| 2 | (B) is | Uncountable / always-singular nouns — news, information, furniture, luggage, advice always take a singular verb. "The news" → is. |
| 3 | (C) were | Neither … nor / Either … or — verb agrees with the subject closer to it (Proximity Rule). "Nor the teachers" → teachers (plural) → were. |
| 4 | (C) is | Two nouns joined by "and" denoting a single idea / dish / item take a singular verb. "Bread and butter" = one food item / one meal → is. (Similarly: rice and curry is, slow and steady wins) |
| 5 | (B) were | "A number of" = many → always takes a plural verb. "A number of students were …" (contrast: "The number of … has/is" → singular). Key: A number = plural; The number = singular. |
| 6 | (C) is | Collective nouns (committee, team, jury, class, family, government) take a singular verb when acting as one united body → "The committee is …" is. |
| 7 | (C) are | Not only … but also — verb agrees with the subject closer to it (Proximity Rule). "But also his brothers" → brothers (plural) → are. |
| 8 | (C) is | Distance, weight, time, money, and measurement as a single unit always take a singular verb. "Ten kilometres" = one single distance → is. (Twenty rupees is, five hours is, two kilos is) |
| 9 | (B) are … are | "The + adjective" used to refer to a class of people is always plural. "The rich" = rich people (plural) → are. "The poor" = poor people (plural) → are. (The old are, the young are, the blind are) |
| 10 | (C) has | "The number of" = a definite count → always takes a singular verb. "The number of accidents has …" → has. (Contrast with Q5: A number of = plural; The number of = singular.) |
📌 Subject–Verb Agreement — Key Rules at a Glance
| Rule | Example |
|---|---|
| Each / Every / Either / Neither → Singular | Each student is present. |
| News / Information / Furniture → Singular | The news is shocking. |
| Neither…nor / Not only…but also → Proximity Rule (agree with nearer subject) | Neither he nor they are ready. |
| Two nouns = single idea → Singular | Bread and butter is healthy. |
| A number of → Plural | A number of boys were absent. |
| The number of → Singular | The number of cases has risen. |
| Collective noun (one unit) → Singular | The jury has given its verdict. |
| Distance / Time / Money as one unit → Singular | Five hours is enough. |
| The + Adjective (class of people) → Plural | The elderly need care. |
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