SVA_QUIZ

Of these papers, less than a half deals / deal with this issue. 

• deals

• deal

Answer explanation

a half of these papers

A number of authors has / have claimed that x = y. 

• has

• have

Answer explanation

a number = several (plural)

The number of publications per year is / are reported in Table 3. 

• is

• are

Answer explanation

the number = количество (singular)

The majority of articles only covers / cover marginal issues.

• covers

• cover

Answer explanation

The majority of articles

This group of tables contains / contain all the relevant results. 

• contains

• contain

Answer explanation

This group of tables

Ten kilos is / are enough to ensure a good performance. 

• is

• are

Answer explanation

Use a singular verb with distances, periods of time, sums of money, etc., when considered as a unit.

Examples:

Three miles is too far to walk.

Five years is the maximum sentence for that offense.

Ten dollars is a high price to pay.

BUT Ten dollars (i.e., dollar bills) were scattered on the floor.

Several thousand dollars is / are required. 

• is

• are

Answer explanation

Several = more than one = plural

People is / are stranger than animals. 

• is

• are

Answer explanation

People = more than one = plural

The police is / are present in heavy numbers. 

• is

• are

Answer explanation

Police is a plural noun and is followed by a plural verb:

The police are investigating the case.

✗ Don’t say: The police is investigating the case.

• When talking about someone who works for the police, you say a police officer, a policeman, or a policewoman.

✗ Don’t say: a police

https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/police

Fifty percent is / are certainly a good rate. 

• is

• are

Answer explanation

With words that indicate portions—e.g., a lot, a majority, some, all, and we are guided by the noun after of. If the noun after of is singular, use a singular verb. If it is plural, use a plural verb.

Examples:

A lot of the pie has disappeared.

A lot of the pies have disappeared.

Fifty percent of the pie has disappeared.

Fifty percent of the pies have disappeared.

A third of the city is unemployed.

A third of the people are unemployed.

All of the pie is gone.

All of the pies are gone.

Some of the pie is missing. Some of the pies are missing.

https://www.grammarbook.com/grammar/subjectVerbAgree.asp