Let's go through each of these questions and fill in the correct verb forms, providing explanations where necessary.
Choose the correct verb form:
1) Chemistry … my least favourite subject.
a) is
Chemistry is a singular noun referring to a single subject, so the correct verb form is "is."
2) Your bathroom scales … not very accurate.
b) are
Although "scales" appears plural, it refers to a single instrument, but it is treated as plural in English, so "are" is correct.
3) £2000 … far too expensive for that stereo.
a) is
When referring to amounts of money, the amount is treated as a singular entity, so "is" is correct.
4) Table-tennis … sometimes referred to as ping-pong.
a) is
Table-tennis is a singular noun, so the correct verb form is "is."
5) The police … coming to the rescue.
b) are
"Police" is a collective noun and is treated as plural in English, so "are" is correct.
6) Paper … made from wood.
a) is
"Paper" is a singular noun, so the correct verb form is "is."
7) Children … playing games.
a) like
"Children" is a plural noun, so the correct verb form is "like."
8) The scissors … work very well.
a) don't
"Scissors" is a plural noun, so the correct verb form is "don't."
9) These trousers … terribly unflattering.
b) are
"Trousers" is always used in the plural form, so "are" is correct.
10) Education … considered to be very important by almost everyone.
a) is
"Education" is a singular noun, so the correct verb form is "is."
Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form:
1) The water in this lake (look) very clean.
The water in this lake looks very clean.
"Water" is a singular noun, so the verb form is "looks."
2) Making mistakes (be) only natural.
Making mistakes is only natural.
The subject is the gerund phrase "making mistakes," which is singular, so the verb is "is."
3) Maths (not/interest) me very much.
Maths does not interest me very much.
"Maths" is a singular noun, so "does not interest" is correct.
4) All of our furniture (be) brand new.
All of our furniture is brand new.
"Furniture" is a singular noun representing a collective group of items, so "is" is correct.
5) Sugar (damage) your teeth.
Sugar damages your teeth.
"Sugar" is a singular noun, so the verb form is "damages."
6) Snow rarely (fall) in this part of the country.
Snow rarely falls in this part of the country.
"Snow" is a singular noun, so the verb form is "falls."
7) The applause (be) very loud.
The applause is very loud.
"Applause" is treated as a singular noun, so "is" is correct.
8) The news they brought us (be) good.
The news they brought us was good.
"News" is a singular noun, so "was" is correct.
9) Your trousers (not/match) your shirt.
Your trousers do not match your shirt.
"Trousers" is always plural, so "do not match" is correct.
10) The team (discuss) strategy before every game.
The team **discusses** strategy before every game.
"Team" is a collective noun that can take either a singular or plural verb, but it is often treated as singular in American English, so "discusses" is correct.
11) Chickenpox (give) you an itchy rash.
Chickenpox **gives** you an itchy rash.
"Chickenpox" is singular, so "gives" is correct.
12) Billiards (be) his favorite game.
Billiards **is** his favorite game.
"Billiards" is treated as a singular noun, so "is" is correct.
13) The accommodation here (seem) very expensive.
The accommodation here **seems** very expensive.
"Accommodation" is a singular noun, so "seems" is correct.
14) The pliers (be) in the tool box.
The pliers **are** in the tool box.
"Pliers" is a plural noun, so "are" is correct.
15) Knowledge of other languages (help) people in business.
Knowledge of other languages **helps** people in business.
"Knowledge" is a singular noun, so "helps" is correct.
16) Ten minutes (be) too little time to finish this report.
Ten minutes **is** too little time to finish this report.
Periods of time are treated as singular units, so "is" is correct.
17) Every time I travel, some of my luggage (get) damaged.
Every time I travel, some of my luggage **gets** damaged.
"Luggage" is a singular noun, so "gets" is correct.
18) Welsh (be) difficult to learn.
Welsh **is** difficult to learn.
"Welsh" is a singular noun, so "is" is correct.
19) The staff (be) happy with the pay-rise.
The staff **are** happy with the pay-rise.
"Staff" is a collective noun usually treated as plural in British English, so "are" is correct.
20) Sophisticated machinery (cost) a lot of money.
Sophisticated machinery **costs** a lot of money.
"Machinery" is a singular noun, so "costs" is correct.
