A verb agreement question tests whether a verb matches a subject that's one thing or more than one. Sort the forms by whether they fit it or they, then ask who or what the verb is about. Set aside extra information between commas to find the true subject. One thing needs a singular verb, and more than one needs a plural verb. A nearby noun can belong to extra information instead of the subject.
Hints
- Hint 1
Look for who or what is scheduled to open. Which words name it, and which words add information about it?
- Hint 2
Read the sentence without the phrase between the commas. Can you replace the remaining subject with it or they?
Step-by-step
Find the true subject
Step 1Sort the verb forms
The choices are forms of be, so let's sort them by number, rather than tense. The forms are, have been, and were go with they, so they're plural. The sentence needs a verb before scheduled to open next spring, and the subject's number will decide which form works.
- Step 2
Set aside the extra information
The phrase along with several nearby parks sits between commas after the community center. Does along with add another subject? No: along with gives extra information, while and would join separate subjects. Cross out the whole phrase between the commas, because parks belongs to that extra information. That leaves the community center as the true subject of the blank's verb.
- Step 3
Match one center
How many things does The new community center name? It's one center, so the verb must be singular. Replace the subject with it: it is scheduled to open next spring. The form is matches that singular subject and completes the sentence. Choice D.