Directions: In this section, each sentence is incomplete and is followed by four options. Select one of the four options to complete the sentence. Fortunately the news _______
wasn't as bad as we expected
This question asks us to complete a sentence by choosing the most grammatically correct and meaningful option from the four provided choices. The incomplete sentence is: "Fortunately the news _______".
To correctly complete the sentence, we need to consider the subject and choose a verb phrase that agrees with it and makes sense in the context.
The subject of the sentence is "the news". In English grammar, words like 'news', 'mathematics', 'physics', 'measles', 'mumps', and 'billiards', although they end in 's', are typically treated as uncountable nouns and take a singular verb. Therefore, "the news" requires a singular verb form.
Let's look at each option:
Based on the analysis, only option 1 uses the correct singular verb form ("wasn't") that agrees with the singular subject "the news" and creates a grammatically sound and sensible sentence. The other options contain grammatical errors in subject-verb agreement or sentence structure.
The completed sentence is: "Fortunately the news wasn't as bad as we expected."
| Concept | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Subject-Verb Agreement | The verb must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject. | He walks (singular subject, singular verb). They walk (plural subject, plural verb). |
| Uncountable Nouns Treated as Singular | Some nouns, often ending in 's', are treated as singular and take singular verbs. | The news is important. Mathematics is difficult. |
| Modal Verbs | Auxiliary verbs (like can, could, will, would, shall, should, may, might, must) that indicate possibility, necessity, etc. They are usually followed by the base form of a main verb. | You should study. We can go now. |
Understanding countable and uncountable nouns is crucial for correct subject-verb agreement. Here are some common categories of uncountable nouns:
These nouns generally do not have a plural form and are used with singular verbs and determiners (like 'much' instead of 'many').
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The room was very warm
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We could leave today or we could leave tomorrow
Direction: The following item have one part of the sentence followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternatives.
Mohan and I couldn't get into the house because
Direction: The following item have one part of the sentence followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternatives.
There are many good hotels, you can choose to stay in
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The bus service is very good; there is a bus
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We live near a busy airport; the planes fly
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Dan was very quiet. He didn't say a word
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I don't like stories
Direction: The following item have one part of the sentence followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternatives.
Not everything
Direction: The following item has one part of the sentence followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternatives.
I asked two people the way to the station
Direction: The following item have one part of the sentence followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternatives.
The room was very warm
Direction: The following item have one part of the sentence followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternatives.
We could leave today or we could leave tomorrow
Direction: The following item have one part of the sentence followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternatives.
Mohan and I couldn't get into the house because
Direction: The following item have one part of the sentence followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternatives.
There are many good hotels, you can choose to stay in