Form, Structure, and Sense Flashcards

The architect's sketches, along with a detailed cost estimate, _______ submitted to the planning committee last Friday.

Answer: were

The subject 'sketches' is plural; 'along with a detailed cost estimate' is a parenthetical phrase and does not change subject-verb agreement, so 'were' is correct.

The principal, accompanied by several teachers, _______ greeted the new students at the entrance.

Answer: warmly

The adverb 'warmly' correctly modifies the verb 'greeted'; an adjective or participle would not function correctly here.

Neither the CEO nor the board members _______ prepared to announce the company's restructuring plan.

Answer: were

With 'neither…nor,' the verb agrees with the nearer subject; 'board members' is plural, so 'were' is correct.

Having rehearsed the speech dozens of times, _______ delivered the presentation with remarkable confidence.

Answer: the speaker

The participial phrase 'Having rehearsed the speech' must refer to the person who rehearsed — that is 'the speaker,' the subject of the main clause.

The researchers published _______ findings in a peer-reviewed journal after three years of fieldwork.

Answer: their

'Researchers' is plural and refers to people, so the plural pronoun 'their' is correct.

The librarian asked each student to return _______ overdue books before the end of the semester.

Answer: their

In modern standard usage, 'their' is accepted as a singular pronoun referring to a generic individual; 'his or her' is also correct, but 'their' is the most natural and widely accepted form on the SAT.

The documentary, as well as the three follow-up episodes, _______ nominated for several industry awards.

Answer: was

The subject is 'documentary' (singular); 'as well as the three follow-up episodes' is a parenthetical phrase, so the singular verb 'was' is correct.