Vocabulary 4000 - Noel's ESL eBook Library

148 Vocabulary 4000
Choice (A) is incorrect since the singular subject the harvest
requires a singular verb, not the plural verb were.
Choice (B) is illogical since it states that the harvest began to
decrease in 1990 and then it states that it was the third straight year
of decrease.
In choice (C) the plural verb were still does not agree with its
singular subject the harvest.
Choice (E) contains the same flaw as choice (B).
Choice (D) has the singular verb was agreeing with its singular
subject the harvest. Further, it places the phrase in 1990 more
naturally. The answer is (D).
5. Each of the book’s protagonists—Mark Streit, Mary Eby, and Dr.
Thomas—has a powerful, dynamic personality.
(A) Each of the book’s protagonists—Mark Streit, Mary Eby, and Dr.
Thomas—has
(B) Each of the book’s protagonists—Mark Streit, Mary Eby, and Dr.
Thomas—have
(C) All the book’s protagonists—Mark Streit, Mary Eby, and Dr.
Thomas—has
(D) Mark Streit, Mary Eby, and Dr. Thomas—the book’s protagonists—
each has
(E) Each of the book’s protagonists—Mark Streit, Mary Eby, and Dr.
Thomas—could have had
The sentence is grammatical as written. The answer is (A).
When each, every, or many a precedes two or more subjects
linked by and, they separate the subjects and the verb is singular.
Hence, in choice (B) the plural verb have is incorrect.
Choice (C) is incorrect since the singular verb has does not
agree with the plural subject all.
When each follows a plural subject it does not separate the
subjects and the verb remains plural. Hence, in choice (D) the
singular verb has is incorrect.
Choice (E) also changes the meaning of the original sentence,
which states that the protagonist do have powerful, dynamic
personalities.