An agreement question tests whether a verb matches its subject when several nouns appear. Sort the verb forms by number, then find the true subject by setting aside phrases and descriptions. One thing takes a singular verb, and more than one takes a plural verb. With subjects joined by or or nor, match the subject nearer the verb. Check with it or they, because nearby nouns inside descriptions don't decide the verb's number.
Hints
- Hint 1
Look at the pair joined by neither and nor. Which noun names the main thing in each part?
- Hint 2
Set aside the words beginning with in and the description beginning with that. Which two nouns remain?
- Hint 3
With neither ... nor, check the subject closer to the blank, after setting aside its description. Does that subject name one thing or more than one?
Step-by-step
Find the nearer true subject
Step 1Sort by number
Start by sorting are, were, and have been by number: each goes with they, so each is plural. What do we need to check next? The verb must match whatever is described as consistent with the evidence presented elsewhere, so number comes before tense.
- Step 2
Strip away the descriptions
The pair begins with neither the details in the newly discovered letters and continues with nor the conclusion. Which nouns name the subjects? They're details and conclusion, while the words beginning with in tell us where the details appear. The words that the historian draws from them describe which conclusion the sentence means. Cross out those descriptions, since the nouns inside them don't control this verb.
- Step 3
Match the nearer subject
Which of those subjects controls the verb? With subjects joined by nor, the verb matches the nearer subject, not the whole pair as it would with and. The words nor the conclusion put conclusion closer to the blank. That noun names one thing, so the blank needs a singular verb, even though the earlier details is plural.
- Step 4
Check with it
With the subject shortened to it, we get it is consistent, so is gives the needed form. The opening phrase According to the archivist's current catalog also describes what the catalog says now, which fits the present tense. Choice B.