SVA 1

Laura, together with Jesse, (sing, sings) the alto part.

(a)  

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'sings' because 'Laura, together with Jesse' is a compound subject that is treated as singular. Therefore, the verb must agree in number and take the singular form 'sings'.

The girls, as well as Tom, (hum, hums) quietly.

(a)  

Answer explanation

In the sentence, 'the girls, as well as Tom,' the subject is plural ('the girls'), but 'as well as Tom' is a modifying phrase that does not affect the verb form. Therefore, the correct verb form is 'hum' to match the plural subject.

Mr. Michaels, with his two sons, always (win, wins) the trophy.

(a)  

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'win' because 'Mr. Michaels' is a singular subject, but 'with his two sons' makes the subject plural. Therefore, the verb should agree with the plural subject, which is 'win'.

The estate, including the paintings, (was, were) sold.

(a)  

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'was' because 'the estate' is a singular noun. Therefore, the verb must also be singular to agree with the subject.

Relaxation, along with good food, (has, have) improved her health.

(a)  

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'has' because the subject 'Relaxation, along with good food' is singular. The phrase 'along with good food' does not change the singular nature of the subject, so 'has' is the appropriate verb form.

The agents, with their co-workers, (was, were) checking the story.

(a)  

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'were' because 'agents' is plural. The verb must agree with the subject in number, so 'were' is the appropriate form to use with the plural subject 'agents'.

Sam, in addition to his brothers, (sleep, sleeps) in this tent.

(a)  

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'sleeps' because 'Sam' is a singular subject. The verb must agree in number, so 'sleeps' is the appropriate form to use with a singular subject, while 'sleep' is plural.

The hunters, with their two guides, (like, likes) stalk game. 

(a)  

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'like' because the subject 'hunters' is plural. In English, plural subjects take the verb form 'like' instead of 'likes', which is used for singular subjects.

Arteries, on the other hand, (carries, carry) the blood away.

(a)  

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'carry' because 'arteries' is a plural noun, and the verb must agree in number. Therefore, the sentence should read: 'Arteries, on the other hand, carry the blood away.'

The heart, along with the 100,000 miles of arteries and veins, (supplies, supply) the oxygen needed by all parts of the body.

(a)  

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'supplies' because the subject 'The heart, along with the 100,000 miles of arteries and veins' is treated as a singular entity, requiring a singular verb form.