SAT subject verb agreement practice

A worked example

The collection of old maps is valuable. Collection is singular; of old maps describes the collection and does not control the verb.

A common trap

A plural noun immediately before a blank may belong to a prepositional phrase rather than the subject.

For a longer walkthrough, read SAT grammar: find the subject, then check the sentence.

By Sentence Practice editorial team · Reviewed 2026-09-05

All 8 questions, with explanations

Work on paper or read at your own pace. Open each explanation after choosing an answer. These are the same original questions used in the interactive tool.

1. 1. The collection of handwritten letters ____ stored in a climate-controlled room. Which choice completes the text according to Standard English conventions?

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

   Answer: A. is

   Collection is the singular head of the subject. Of handwritten letters is a descriptive phrase. The singular verb is matches collection.

2. 2. Each of the laboratory instruments ____ a calibration check before use. Which choice completes the text according to Standard English conventions?

   1. require
   2. have required
   3. were requiring
   4. requires
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: D. requires

   Each is singular even though instruments is plural. The singular present-tense form is requires.

3. 3. The results of the experiment ____ consistent with the original prediction. Which choice completes the text according to Standard English conventions?

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

   Answer: C. are

   Results is plural; of the experiment does not change its number. Are is the matching plural verb.

4. 4. In 1998, the research team ____ its first report on the wetlands. Which choice completes the text according to Standard English conventions?

   1. is publishing
   2. published
   3. publishes
   4. will publish
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: B. published

   The explicit date places the completed event in the past. Published is the simple past form. The other choices introduce incompatible present or future timing.

5. 5. The engineer and the technician ____ responsible for checking the equipment. Which choice completes the text according to Standard English conventions?

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

   Answer: A. are

   The engineer and the technician names two people joined by and. This compound subject takes the plural verb are.

6. 6. A series of short workshops ____ scheduled for next month. Which choice completes the text according to Standard English conventions?

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

   Answer: D. is

   A series is singular. Of short workshops modifies series, so is agrees with the subject even though workshops is plural.

7. 7. Yesterday, the committee ____ the final version of the proposal. Which choice completes the text according to Standard English conventions?

   1. will approve
   2. is approving
   3. approved
   4. approves
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: C. approved

   Yesterday places the completed approval in the past. Approved matches that timeline. This item is about tense, not the collective noun committee.

8. 8. The maps in the newly restored atlas ____ several trade routes. Which choice completes the text according to Standard English conventions?

   1. is showing
   2. show
   3. shows
   4. has shown
   Show answer and explanation

   Answer: B. show

   Maps is the plural head of the subject. Atlas is inside a prepositional phrase. Show agrees with maps.

Scope reference: College Board’s section overview. Questions are independently authored and are not official exam material.