Choose the right form of the verb: (Answers)

1. His family (was/ were ) in the process of having tea as we arrived.

2. My family who (was/ were ) occupied each with their particular guest did not notice anything.

3. Monty’s family ( was /were) of about the same social status as my own.

4. The police (has/ have ) known about him for years.

5. Everybody says the Swiss police (is/ are ) good at finding people.

6. The police (was/ were ) called and a constable arrived.

7. The public ( doesn’t (also possible) / don’t ) think so.

8. The public ( is (also possible) / are ) requested not to drop litter in these woods.

9. The team (is/ are ) having baths at the moment.

10. The team ( is /are) playing tomorrow morning.

11. Do you know what the news ( is /are)?

12. The ashes (was/ were ) still hot.

13. The job is unpaid, but a number of persons (is/ are ) willing to undertake it.

14. The number of pupils with reading difficulties ( has /have) fallen this year.

15. There ( is /are) important information in the letter.

16. The clergy (was/ were ) generally dressed in black.

17. The Government (has/ have ) been discussing the matter for a long time but they have shown no signs of reaching agreement.

18. The Government ( has /have) decided to pass the bill.

19. Mathematics ( has /have) always interested me.

20. Ethics ( is /are) a difficult study.

21. His ethics (was/ were ) questionable.

22. That day the committee ( was /were) to meet at her friend’s place.

23. I had to find out whether the committee (was/ were ) competent enough to consider the project.

24. The couple (was/ were ) married on Saturday and left on their honeymoon. They will return in two weeks.

25. The winning couple ( has /have) one week to collect its prize.

26. Close by, a group of men (was/ were ) sitting.

27. Group 7 ( is /are) to go on a tour to London this summer.

28. The staff (was/ were ) all gathered in the main office when I came.

29. His staff ( is /are) very small.

30. His advice ( has /have) always been useful to me.

31. You’ve bought yourself a nice car. Your money ( is /are) well spent.

32. Ten days ( is /are) too long to wait.

33. Tea and coffee (is/ are ) two traditional drinks.

34. The Japanese (is/ are ) fond of their traditions.

35. Her hair ( is /are) long and she usually wears it loose.

36. His clothes (was/ were ) torn.

37. Your news ( is /are) fantastic!

38. A lot of pollution ( is /are) caused by the paper factory on the edge of town.

39. The fifty pounds he gave us ( was /were) soon spent.

40. Around 10 per cent of the forest ( is /are) destroyed every year.

41. About 50 per cent of the houses (needs/ need ) major repairs.