Grammar Explanation: Subject-Verb Agreement

This question tests understanding of subject-verb agreement in English grammar, specifically focusing on indefinite pronouns like 'each' and correlative conjunctions like 'neither...nor'.

Sentence (i): Agreement with 'Each'

• The sentence is: "Each student _______ informed about the cultural programme."
• The subject is "Each student". The word 'Each' is a singular indefinite pronoun.
• Singular subjects require singular verbs.
• In the past tense, the singular form of 'to be' is 'was'.
• Therefore, the correct verb is 'was'. The sentence becomes: "Each student was informed about the cultural programme."

Sentence (ii): Agreement with 'Neither...nor'

• The sentence is: "Neither Ravi nor I _______ any interest in this project."
• The structure "Neither...nor" connects two subjects: "Ravi" and "I".
• With 'neither...nor', the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. In this case, "I" is the closest subject.
• The pronoun "I" requires specific verb forms. Considering the options provided ('has', 'have'), we look for present tense agreement.
• The first-person singular pronoun "I" takes the verb "have" in the present tense (e.g., "I have a pen"). It does not take "has".
• Therefore, the correct verb is 'have'. The sentence becomes: "Neither Ravi nor I have any interest in this project."

Conclusion

Based on the analysis:

• Sentence (i) requires the singular verb 'was'.
• Sentence (ii) requires the verb 'have' to agree with 'I'.

The correct combination is (i)-(a) and (ii)-(d).