An agreement question tests whether a verb matches its true subject, even with other nouns nearby. Sort the forms by whether they go with it or they. Check whether the blank needs a main verb, which says what its subject does or is; an -ing form can't be one alone. Then cross out extra phrases to find the subject. Match the subject’s number: one thing takes a singular verb, and more than one takes a plural verb.
Hints
- Hint 1
The blank is in the part that starts with that after recognize. Check how it connects to the verb after and.
- Hint 2
Look at the words between the commas before the blank. What remains as the subject when you set those words aside?
- Hint 3
Replace the remaining subject with it or they. Use that pronoun to check whether the verb needs a singular or plural form.
Step-by-step
Sort, find the subject, and match
Step 1Check the blank’s job
Sort the verb forms: builds and has built go with it, while building can't be a main verb on its own. Does the blank need a main verb, the verb saying what its subject does or is? In recognize that setbacks, that starts a new clause, a group of words with its own subject and verb. The words and sharpen their strategic thinking show that the blank is the first verb in a pair joined by and, so it needs a main-verb form. We can set building aside.
- Step 2
Find the true subject
Cross out rather than victories, the words between the commas, and ask: what increases the players’ resilience? The answer is setbacks, because the sentence says setbacks strengthen the players. The words rather than point out a contrast; they don't join subjects the way and does. The phrase doesn't add another subject, so the verb's form depends on setbacks alone.
- Step 3
Match the plural subject
The noun setbacks names more than one setback, so replace it with they. Which main-verb form works with they? A plural subject takes a plural verb: we can't say they builds or they has built, because those verb forms are singular. Build gives they build, so it matches the subject’s number. Choice D.