A verb agreement question tests whether the verb matches its subject, the person or thing it's about. Sort the verb forms by number, then find the true subject in the part containing the blank. Set aside an opening clause and any phrases that describe the subject. One person or thing needs a singular verb; more than one needs a plural verb. Replace the subject with it or they to check, since nearby nouns can belong to other parts of the sentence.
Hints
- Hint 1
Work with the part after the comma. The opening part beginning with While already has its own subject and verb.
- Hint 2
Check what the phrase beginning with of adds. Does it name what resonates, or does it tell you more about it?
- Hint 3
Replace the subject with it or they. Which pronoun fits after you set aside the words that describe the subject?
Step-by-step
Find the subject and match its number
Step 1Sort the forms and locate the blank
Sort the forms by number: are, were, and have been go with they, but not it in a statement like this one. The tenses differ, but the subject's number decides the verb. Where does the part containing the blank begin? The words “While the novel's vivid imagery captivates readers,” already contain a subject and verb, so the blank belongs to the part after the comma.
- Step 2
Separate the subject from its description
What does the sentence say truly resonates? It points to its central theme of perseverance, but we need to separate the theme from the words that tell us more about it. The phrase of perseverance tells us what the theme is about, so let's cross it out and bring the subject next to the blank. The theme is the true subject, while the words after of name that theme's topic.
- Step 3
Check with a shorter subject
its central theme names one thing, so we can replace the full subject with it. Which form works with that shorter subject? A singular subject needs a singular verb, and it is passes that check. Is completes the sentence by connecting the one central theme to what truly resonates after the final page. Choice C.