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Concord – Quiz 1
Concord Quiz 1 (30 MCQs)
This multiple-choice question set evaluates the understanding of concord between subjects and verbs, including singular-plural agreement, collective nouns, and historical context. It also assesses skills in identifying parallel structure and strategic use of terrain during the American Revolutionary War.
Quiz Instructions
Select an option to see the correct answer instantly.
1.
The books in my office ..... very valuable to me
A) Is.
B) Are.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The subject of the sentence is "books," which is a plural noun. Therefore, the verb must also be in its plural form to maintain grammatical concord. The correct verb form for "books" is "are." Hence, option B) Are is the correct answer.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Is - Incorrect as it does not match with the plural subject "books."
Option B:
Are - Correct as it matches with the plural subject "books."
Option C:
All the above - Incorrect as only option B is correct.
Option D:
None of the above - Incorrect as option B is correct.
2.
Some of the furniture in our apartment ..... secondhand.
A) Was.
B) Were.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "Some of the furniture in our apartment was secondhand" uses a singular verb "was" because "furniture" is treated as a singular noun when referring to it collectively, despite being made up of multiple pieces. This demonstrates correct concord between subject and verb.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. The sentence correctly uses the singular verb "was" with the collective noun "furniture."
Option B:
Incorrect. "Were" is a plural form, which does not match the singular subject.
Option C:
Incorrect. This option suggests both verbs are correct, but only "was" matches the singular subject.
Option D:
Incorrect. The sentence is grammatically correct with "was."
3.
Identify the correct parallel structure in the following sentence:She likes to hike, to swim, and reading books.
A) To hike, to swim, and to read books.
B) To hike, to swim, and reading books.
C) Hiking, swimming, and reading books.
D) To hike, swimming, and to read books.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct parallel structure is maintained in Option A: "To hike, to swim, and to read books." This option ensures that all verbs are in the infinitive form (to + verb), which creates a consistent and grammatically correct list.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. All verbs are in the infinitive form.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Reading" is not in the infinitive form, disrupting parallelism.
Option C:
Correct but less precise as it omits "to" before each verb, which is necessary for proper parallel structure.
Option D:
Incorrect. "Swimming" is a gerund (verb + -ing), not in the infinitive form, and "read books" should be "to read books" to maintain consistency.
4.
Which side shot first at the Battle of Lexington?
A) Boston, Massachusetts.
B) British governor of Massachusetts.
C) To surprise the Patriots.
D) No one knows.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The Battle of Lexington on April 19, 1775, is considered the first military engagement of the American Revolutionary War. Historical records do not provide clear evidence to determine which side fired the first shot, leading historians and scholars to conclude that it remains unknown.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Not relevant to the question about who fired the first shot.
Option B:
Not relevant to the question about who fired the first shot.
Option C:
This option is not related to the historical event and does not address the firing of the first shot.
Option D:
Correct. The exact identity of the firer remains unknown due to conflicting accounts from both sides.
5.
What tactic did the colonial forces use to target the British during their march back to Boston?
A) Cavalry charges.
B) Artillery fire.
C) Diplomatic negotiations.
D) Ambushes.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Ambushes were a tactic used by colonial forces to target the British during their march back to Boston, particularly after the Battle of Lexington and Concord in April 1775. By setting up hidden positions along the route, the colonists could surprise and engage the larger British force with smaller, more agile units.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Not applicable to this scenario as cavalry charges would have been less effective against a marching column in colonial times.
Option B:
Artillery fire was not commonly used by the colonists during this march due to their limited supply of artillery pieces and expertise.
Option C:
Diplomatic negotiations were not a military tactic but rather a separate method for resolving conflicts through dialogue, which did not apply here.
Option D:
Correct. Ambushes allowed the colonial forces to inflict casualties on the British without engaging in direct combat with their larger numbers and better equipment.
6.
The leader as well as his brothers ..... (belong/belongs) to the same tribe.
A) Belongs.
B) Belong.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "The leader as well as his brothers ... to the same tribe" is a case of **concord** in English grammar, where the verb must agree with its nearest subject when there are multiple subjects connected by phrases like "as well as," "together with," or "along with." In this instance, "the leader" is singular and thus requires a singular verb form. Therefore, "belongs" is correct.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. The leader (singular) requires the singular verb "belongs."
Option B:
Incorrect. "Belong" would be used if both subjects were plural.
Option C:
Incorrect. Only one option is correct based on concord rules.
Option D:
Incorrect. There is a correct answer according to the rule of concord.
7.
The team of experts ..... (has/have) arrived to discuss the project.
A) Has.
B) Have.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The subject of the sentence is "the team," which is singular, indicating that a singular verb should be used. Therefore, "has" is correct as it agrees with the singular subject.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. The subject "team" is singular and requires a singular verb.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Have" would be used if the subject were plural, which it is not in this case.
Option C:
Incorrect. Both options A and B cannot be correct simultaneously for this sentence.
Option D:
Incorrect. There is a correct answer among the given choices.
8.
What did the delegates at the First Continental Congress vote to ban?
A) Trade with France.
B) Trade with Britain.
C) Trade with Spain.
D) Trade with Native Americans.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The delegates at the First Continental Congress voted to ban trade with Britain as a form of protest against British policies, including taxation without representation and other restrictions. This action was part of their efforts to assert colonial rights and challenge British authority.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Trade with France - Incorrect; the delegates did not ban trade with France.
Option B:
Trade with Britain - Correct; this was one of the key actions taken by the delegates to protest against British policies.
Option C:
Trade with Spain - Incorrect; there is no historical record of such a ban.
Option D:
Trade with Native Americans - Incorrect; trade with Native Americans was not specifically targeted for banning in this context.
9.
Sixty Two ..... (is/are) the minimum age of retirement.
A) Is.
B) Are.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "Sixty Two..... (is/are) the minimum age of retirement." requires a singular verb because "age" is being treated as a single unit in this context, not multiple ages. Therefore, "is" is correct.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "Is" agrees with the singular subject "Sixty Two".
Option B:
Incorrect. "Are" would be used if referring to multiple ages, which is not the case here.
Option C:
Incorrect. Both options are not correct.
Option D:
Incorrect. Option A is correct.
10.
A bouquet of flowers ..... a lovely gift.
A) Make.
B) Makes.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "A bouquet of flowers ... a lovely gift." requires the verb to agree with the subject "bouquet," which is singular. Therefore, the correct form is "Makes" (Option B), as it agrees with the singular subject.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect; "Make" does not agree with the singular subject.
Option B:
Correct; "Makes" agrees with the singular subject "bouquet."
Option C:
Incorrect; "All the above" is not applicable since only one option is correct.
Option D:
Incorrect; "None of the above" is incorrect as Option B is correct.
11.
Half of the class ..... from another country.
A) Is.
B) Are.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The subject "half" is singular, so the verb should also be singular to maintain concord. Therefore, "Is" correctly matches with the singular nature implied by "half of the class."
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Is - Correct as it agrees with the singular subject "half of the class."
Option B:
Are - Incorrect as it does not agree with the singular subject.
Option C:
All the above - Incorrect because only Option A is correct.
Option D:
None of the above - Incorrect since Option A is correct.
12.
The rain ..... stopped finally. We can go out and play.
A) Have.
B) Had.
C) Has.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "The rain ... stopped finally. We can go out and play." requires a verb that agrees with the singular subject "the rain". In English, the present tense of the verb "to stop" is "stops", which in its contracted form is "has stopped". Therefore, option C) Has is correct.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. "Have" does not agree with the singular subject "the rain".
Option B:
Incorrect. "Had" indicates past perfect tense and is not appropriate here.
Option C:
Correct. "Has stopped" agrees with the singular subject "the rain" in present perfect tense.
Option D:
Incorrect. There is a correct answer among the options provided.
13.
The latest news ..... that the criminal has been arrested.
A) Was.
B) Were.
C) Are.
D) Is.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "The latest news ... that the criminal has been arrested" is a singular subject ("the latest news") followed by a relative clause. In such cases, the verb should agree with the subject in number and person. Since "the latest news" acts as a singular entity, the correct verb form is "is." Therefore, option D) Is is the correct answer.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Was - Incorrect for singular subject.
Option B:
Were - Incorrect for singular subject.
Option C:
Are - Incorrect for singular subject.
Option D:
Is - Correct for singular subject.
14.
Which of the following sentences demonstrates parallel structure? A) She likes cooking, jogging, and to read. B) He enjoys swimming, hiking, and reading. C) They prefer to dance, singing, and painting.
A) We are going to the beach, hiking, and to play volleyball.
B) He enjoys swimming, hiking, and reading.
C) She likes cooking, jogging, and to swim.
D) They prefer to dance, singing, and to draw.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option B correctly demonstrates parallel structure in the verbs used: "enjoys swimming, hiking, and reading." The verbs are all in their base form (infinitive without 'to'), maintaining consistent grammatical form throughout the list.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect; "to play volleyball" uses a gerund instead of an infinitive.
Option B:
Correct; verbs are in base form (swimming, hiking, reading).
Option C:
Incorrect; "to swim" is inconsistent with the other verb forms used.
Option D:
Incorrect; "singing" and "to draw" use different grammatical forms.
15.
You ..... (smell/smells) great. What perfume ..... (is/are) you wearing?
A) Smells, are.
B) Smell, is.
C) Smells, is.
D) Smell, are.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "You smell great" uses the third-person singular form of the verb "smell," which is correct because it refers to a single person (implied by "you"). The phrase "What perfume are you wearing?" correctly uses "are" as the plural auxiliary verb, matching the plural subject "perfume."
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. "Smell" is singular and does not match with a plural subject.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Smell" is singular and does not match with a plural subject.
Option C:
Correct. Both verbs are in the correct form for their respective subjects.
Option D:
Incorrect. "Smell" should be singular to agree with the implied single person referred to by "you."
16.
The herd of horses wildly across the field.
A) Gallop.
B) Gallops.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "The herd of horses wildly across the field." requires a verb that agrees with the subject "the herd of horses," which is singular. Therefore, "gallops" (Option B) is correct because it matches the singular subject in number and person.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect; "Gallop" does not agree with the singular subject.
Option B:
Correct; "Gallops" agrees with the singular subject.
Option C:
Incorrect; "All the above" is not applicable since only one option is correct.
Option D:
Incorrect; "None of the above" is incorrect as Option B is correct.
17.
Rama as well as Hari and Govind ..... (likes/like) hot curry.
A) Likes.
B) Like.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "Rama as well as Hari and Govind likes hot curry" follows the rule of concord, which states that a singular subject in a clause should be matched with a singular verb form. Here, Rama is the main subject, and it is followed by "as well as" along with other names (Hari and Govind), but this phrase does not change the number of the subject.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. The verb "likes" agrees with the singular subject "Rama."
Option B:
Incorrect. "Like" is plural and doesn't match the singular subject.
Option C:
Incorrect. Only Option A is correct.
Option D:
Incorrect. There is a correct answer among the options provided.
18.
Neither of them ..... absent.
A) Is.
B) Are.
C) Was.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "Neither of them are absent" correctly uses the plural verb form "are." This is because "neither of them" refers to two or more individuals, making it a plural subject. The verb must agree with this plural subject in number.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Is - Incorrect as "is" does not match the plural subject.
Option B:
Are - Correct choice, matching the plural subject.
Option C:
Was - Incorrect as "was" is for singular subjects and past tense.
Option D:
None of the above - Not applicable since option B is correct.
19.
One of the eggs in the basket ..... rotten.
A) Was.
B) Were.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "One of the eggs in the basket was rotten" uses a singular subject ("one") with a singular verb ("was"). This demonstrates correct concord, where the number of the subject matches the number of the verb. The other options are incorrect because they do not maintain proper agreement between the subject and verb.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "One" is singular, so "was" is appropriate.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Were" would be used for a plural subject.
Option C:
Incorrect. This option suggests both verbs are correct, which they are not in this case.
Option D:
Incorrect. There is a correct answer among the options provided.
20.
Nobody ..... where I live. My life is secret!
A) Knows.
B) Know.
C) Is know.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option A is correct because the sentence requires a verb in its third-person singular form to agree with the subject "Nobody." In English, when using "nobody" as the subject of a sentence, the verb must be in the present tense and third-person singular form (ends in -s or -es). Therefore, "Knows" is the appropriate choice.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Knows. Correct. The verb agrees with the subject "Nobody."
Option B:
Know. Incorrect. This does not agree in number or person with "nobody."
Option C:
Is know. Incorrect. This is a grammatical error and does not form a proper verb phrase.
Option D:
None of the above. Incorrect. Option A is correct.
21.
If the subject is in ..... the verb takes 's'.
A) Plural.
B) Singular.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The subject-verb agreement rule states that if the subject is singular, the verb must take an 's' to agree with it in number. This applies to both regular and irregular verbs.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Plural - Incorrect. The rule does not apply when the subject is plural.
Option B:
Singular - Correct. When the subject is singular, the verb takes an 's' to agree in number.
Option C:
All the above - Incorrect. This option is incorrect because it does not specifically address the rule for singular subjects.
Option D:
None of the above - Incorrect. Option B is correct, so this option is wrong.
22.
The ..... were colonists that did not want to separate from Britain.
A) Militia.
B) Loyalists.
C) Patriots.
D) Minutemen.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The
Loyalists
were colonists who remained loyal to Britain and did not want to separate from it during the American Revolution.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Militia refers to local citizen soldiers, not specifically those loyal to Britain.
Option B:
Correct. Loyalists were colonists who supported British rule and opposed independence.
Option C:
Patriots were the opposite; they wanted independence from Britain.
Option D:
Minutemen were a type of militia, not specifically loyal to Britain.
23.
Around how many men died in the two battles?
A) 10.
B) 122.
C) 650.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The claimed correct answer is B) 122 because this number directly matches the information provided in the context of the question, indicating that approximately 122 men died in the two battles mentioned.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect; 10 is far too low for a battle death count.
Option B:
Correct; as stated above, this number fits the context.
Option C:
Incorrect; 650 seems excessively high for such a scenario.
Option D:
Incorrect; there is a specific correct answer provided.
24.
Why did the colonists win the Battle of Concord?
A) They had better equipment like cannons and guns.
B) They had more soldiers.
C) Because more militias joined them and they shot at the British soldiers as they marched back to Boston, hiding behind trees and rock walls.
D) They had Native American Allies that helped them fight.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The Battle of Concord was a significant engagement during the early stages of the American Revolutionary War. The colonists won because more militias joined them and they shot at the British soldiers as they marched back to Boston, hiding behind trees and rock walls. This tactic allowed the colonists to use the terrain advantageously against the larger, less prepared British forces.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
The colonists did not have better equipment like cannons and guns compared to the British.
Option B:
The number of soldiers was not the deciding factor; it was the strategic use of terrain by the militias.
Option C:
Correct. This describes the key strategy that gave the colonists an advantage.
Option D:
There were no Native American allies fighting for the colonists in this battle.
25.
The birds ..... on my street.
A) Live.
B) Lives.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "The birds ..... on my street." is plural, referring to multiple birds. Therefore, the verb must also be in its plural form, which is "live". Hence, option A) Live is correct.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. The subject "birds" is plural, so the verb should match and use the plural form "live".
Option B:
Incorrect. "Lives" is singular and does not agree with the plural subject "birds".
Option C:
Incorrect. This option suggests all above, which is not applicable since only one correct answer exists.
Option D:
Incorrect. There is a correct answer among the options provided.
26.
IF TWO NOUNS TELLS US ABOUT TWODIFFERENT PERSONS OR THINGS THEN ..... VERB IS USED.
A) Singular.
B) Plural.
C) Both.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
When two nouns refer to two different persons or things, a plural verb is used. This follows the rule of concord in English grammar, where the subject and verb must agree in number (singular or plural).
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Singular verbs are used when the subject is singular.
Option B:
Correct. Plural nouns require a plural verb to maintain agreement in number.
Option C:
Both would imply that either singular or plural verbs can be used, which is incorrect according to concord rules.
Option D:
None of the above is not correct since option B accurately describes the rule for two different persons or things.
27.
Each one of our houses ..... (is/are) to let.
A) Is.
B) Are.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "Each one of our houses..... (is/are) to let." uses a singular subject ("each one") which requires the singular verb form "is". Therefore, Option A is correct as it maintains concord between the subject and the verb.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Each "one" of our houses is singular, requiring a singular verb "is".
Option B:
Incorrect. The plural form "are" does not match with the singular subject "each one".
Option C:
Incorrect. This option suggests both verbs are correct, which contradicts the rule of concord.
Option D:
Incorrect. At least one option is correct (A).
28.
Determine the correct verb form that agrees with the collective noun in the sentence:The jury (has/have) reached (its/their) decision.
A) Have its.
B) Has its.
C) Have their.
D) Has their.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
B) Has its.
In this sentence, "jury" is a singular collective noun referring to the group as one entity. Therefore, it requires a singular verb form, which is "has." Additionally, since "its" refers back to the jury (a singular noun), the possessive pronoun also remains singular.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect because "have" is plural and does not agree with the singular subject "jury."
Option B:
Correct as explained above.
Option C:
Incorrect for the same reason as Option A; "their" should be singular to match the singular verb form.
Option D:
Incorrect because both "has" and "their" are plural, not agreeing with the singular subject "jury."
29.
Which lines in each stanza end with rhyming words?
A) Line 1 with line 3 only.
B) Line 1 with line 2, and line 3 with line 4.
C) Line 1 with line 3, and line 2 with line 4.
D) Line 1 with line 4, and line 2 with line 3.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is C) Line 1 with line 3, and line 2 with line 4. This indicates that the first and third lines of each stanza rhyme, as do the second and fourth lines. Rhyming in poetry often follows a specific pattern known as the rhyme scheme.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect because it suggests only line 1 with line 3 rhymes.
Option B:
Incorrect because it implies that both pairs of lines within each stanza do not rhyme according to the given pattern.
Option C:
Correct as it accurately describes the rhyming pattern in the stanzas, following an ABAB scheme.
Option D:
Incorrect because it suggests a different rhyming pattern than what is described in the correct answer.
30.
Identify the sentence with correct concord:
A) The list of items are on the table.
B) The list of items be on the table.
C) The list of items is on the table.
D) The list of items were on the table.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The subject "list of items" is singular, so the verb must also be singular to maintain concord. Therefore, "is" is the correct form here.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect: "are" does not agree with the singular subject.
Option B:
Incorrect: This option uses a verb form that doesn't fit grammatically or logically.
Option C:
Correct: "is" agrees with the singular subject "list of items."
Option D:
Incorrect: "were" is past tense and does not agree with the present context.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is concord in English grammar?
Concord refers to the agreement between a subject and its verb, ensuring that they match in number (singular or plural). This principle applies to both singular subjects with singular verbs and plural subjects with plural verbs.
How does concord apply to infinitive forms?
Concord also involves matching the subject with any accompanying infinitive form, such as "to be" or "to have," ensuring that these forms agree in number and person with their subjects.
Why is concord important for sentence structure?
Concord is crucial for maintaining grammatical correctness and clarity in sentences. It helps ensure that the subject and verb are properly matched, which enhances readability and comprehension.
Can concord be challenging to learn?
Yes, mastering concord can be challenging because it requires attention to detail and understanding of subject-verb agreement rules. However, consistent practice and exposure to various sentence structures can help improve this skill.
What are the benefits of mastering concord?
Mastering concord improves overall writing quality by ensuring that sentences are grammatically correct and coherent. This skill is essential for clear communication in both written and spoken English.