Form, Structure, and Sense (verbs, agreement, modifiers) questions test whether words fit together grammatically.
Subject-verb agreement is a frequent target, often disguised: when a subject is joined by neither and nor, the verb agrees with the nearer noun, and a long phrase between subject and verb does not change its number. After verbs such as require or recommend, the base form follows, as in requires that each driver stop.
Modifier questions place a descriptive phrase at the start of a sentence, and the noun right after it must be the thing described; Walking to school, the rain started has the rain walking.
Sample questions
Pick an answer to see whether it is right — nothing is saved, and nothing needs an account.
Question 1Mid
Astronomers use twelve low-frequency antennas spread across a desert basin to detect faint radio emissions from distant galaxies. Neither the desert array nor the coastal backup stations currently the astronomers to distinguish genuine signals from local electronic noise. Planned software upgrades may enable the astronomers to make that distinction.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
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Answer: B — allow
The nearer subject is the plural noun ‘stations,’ so ‘allow’ agrees with it and expresses the present situation described in the passage.
Question 2Mid
Researchers studying whale communication must limit the underwater noise produced by their own vessels. The marine sanctuary’s permit requires that each research vessel, including those operated by partner institutions, sonar transmissions whenever observers identify whales within a designated distance. The restriction helps ensure that recorded calls reflect the whales’ ordinary behavior rather than a response to the research equipment.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
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Answer: C — suspend
After the mandative construction “requires that,” Standard English uses the base-form subjunctive “suspend.” The singular subject “each research vessel” does not change that subjunctive form.
Question 3Mid
Sculptors often debate which material better holds fine detail after finishing. Workshop manuals from the last century dwell on how a finished plane either catches or swallows a carved line, treating that difference as a property of the surface itself. Compared with that of polished marble,
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
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Answer: C — the surface of unfinished slate feels noticeably rougher.
“That” stands for the surface of polished marble, so it must be compared with the surface of unfinished slate rather than with slate, roughness, or stoneworkers.
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