An agreement question tests whether a verb matches a subject that’s one thing or more than one. Sort the verb forms by number so differences in tense don’t pull you off track. Then find the true subject by asking who or what the verb is about, and set aside words between the subject and blank that only describe it. Singular verbs go with it and plural verbs with they, so use those short versions to check the match.
Hints
- Hint 1
Look at the words before the blank, and find the thing or things intended to prevent unfair railroad practices.
- Hint 2
Set aside the phrase beginning with established by. Does the remaining subject name one thing or more than one?
Step-by-step
Match the true subject
Step 1Sort the verb forms
Sort the verb forms with it and they: was, is, and has been work with it, so they need a singular subject, meaning one thing. The blank before intended to prevent unfair railroad practices needs a verb that matches its subject. Verb number tells us whether the subject is one thing or more than one.
- Step 2
Set aside the describing phrase
What is intended to prevent those practices? The sentence points to The regulations, while established by the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887 tells us how they came about. Cross out that describing phrase so the subject sits next to the blank. The true subject is regulations, not Act, which only names what established them.
- Step 3
Match the plural subject
Are the regulations one thing or more than one? They name more than one regulation, so we can replace the subject with they. A plural subject takes a plural verb, so were gives us the matching form in they were intended. Choice C.