A verb agreement question tests whether a verb matches its true subject, even when extra information comes between them. Sort the forms by singular or plural, setting tense aside. Then ask who or what the verb is about, and cross out phrases and extra information. One thing takes a singular verb; more than one takes a plural verb. Check by replacing the subject with it or they, since nearby nouns can distract you.
Hints
- Hint 1
Ask what is being genetically modified. Look back from the blank to the opening of the sentence to find the subject.
- Hint 2
Use the commas to find the extra information before the blank. Try reading the sentence without that part.
- Hint 3
Set aside the opening phrase beginning with of. Which word is left to decide whether the verb is singular or plural?
Step-by-step
Find the true subject
Step 1Sort the forms by number
Sort the verb choices by number, not tense: do they fit with it or they? The forms were, have been, and were being go with they, so they're plural. A verb must match its subject: singular for one thing and plural for more than one. To find that subject, ask: what is being genetically modified?
- Step 2
Remove the words between commas
Do the saplings become another subject? The words as well as the deciduous saplings that surround them sit between commas and add extra information about other trees. As well as doesn't join subjects the way and does, so cross out that whole phrase. The verb surround goes with saplings inside the extra information, so its plural form doesn't decide the verb in the blank.
- Step 3
Find the subject behind the phrases
What's left before the blank? The opening is Each of the conifers in the experimental plot. The phrase beginning with of names the group, and the phrase beginning with in tells us where the trees are. Cross both out. That leaves Each as the true subject. Each refers to one conifer at a time, so it calls for a singular verb even though the group contains several conifers.
- Step 4
Check the form with “it”
Replace the subject with it and test the verb before genetically modified. The words after the blank stay the same, and it was genetically modified agrees with one thing, so was is the matching form. Choice D.