A verb agreement question tests whether a verb matches a subject that names one thing or more than one. Set tense aside and sort the forms by whether they go with it or they. Then ask what the verb is about and cross out phrases or clauses that describe nearby nouns. Match the true subject: one thing takes a singular verb, and more than one takes a plural verb.
Hints
- Hint 1
Read the sentence through the blank and ask what sold out.
- Hint 2
Mentally remove the phrase beginning with for and the clause beginning with which. Then check whether the remaining subject names one thing or more than one.
Step-by-step
Sort, find, and match
Step 1Sort the verb forms
Try was, is, and has after it: each fits one thing, so each is singular. We're checking subject-verb agreement, which means matching the verb to a subject that's one thing or more than one. The words ______ sold out within minutes tell us what happened, so we next need to find what sold out.
- Step 2
Uncover the true subject
What sold out? The tickets did, so cross out for the band, which tells us who the tickets are for, and which has been gaining popularity rapidly, which describes the band. The clause has its own verb that matches the singular band, but the blank needs a verb whose true subject is the tickets.
- Step 3
Match the plural subject
How many tickets does the subject name? The concert tickets means more than one, so we can shrink it to they. The plural past form were gives they were sold out, which matches the subject. Choice B.