Question 247·Easy·Form, Structure, and Sense
The new community center, along with several nearby parks, ______ scheduled to open next spring.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
For subject–verb agreement questions, first strip away interrupting phrases (such as those between commas, or starting with "along with," "as well as," or "together with") to find the core subject and verb. Decide whether the subject is singular or plural, then eliminate any options whose verbs don’t match that number. Finally, check that the verb tense fits the time relationship in the sentence (current fact, ongoing action, past event, or future plan) and choose the form that matches both number and tense.
Hints
Find the real subject
Temporarily cover up the phrase between the commas (", along with several nearby parks,") and read what remains. What word is the subject of the sentence now?
Singular or plural?
Once you have the subject, decide if it is singular or plural. The verb in the blank must match that number.
Check the time of the action
The opening will happen next spring, but the schedule exists now. Which verb form shows that something is currently planned or arranged for the future?
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the main subject
Ignore the extra phrase between commas: "along with several nearby parks." The core of the sentence is:
"The new community center ______ scheduled to open next spring."
So the main subject is "center", which is singular.
Recognize that "along with" is not part of the subject
The phrase "along with several nearby parks" is extra information, similar to a parenthetical. It does not change the subject from singular to plural. Even though "parks" is plural, the verb must still agree with "center" (singular).
Match verb number and tense to the subject and meaning
Because the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular. Also, the sentence describes a current plan for something that will happen in the future ("next spring"), so we use a present-tense form that fits: "center is scheduled to open next spring."