Question 4·Easy·Form, Structure, and Sense
Written requests for extra summer housing ______ submitted no later than May 1 each academic year.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
For subject–verb agreement questions, always locate the true subject first: strip away prepositional phrases (like "for extra summer housing") and descriptive details, then decide if the subject is singular or plural. Next, match the verb’s number (singular/plural) and tense (present/past/perfect) to both the subject and the meaning of the sentence—rules or repeated events almost always use simple present. Eliminate any choices that conflict with the subject’s number or the sentence’s time frame before choosing your answer.
Hints
Find the true subject
Look at the phrase before the blank. What is the main noun—the word that would change if you went from one item to many (for example, from "request" to "requests")?
Ignore extra information around the subject
The words "for extra summer housing" come after the main noun. Ask yourself: is this part of the subject, or is it just describing the type of requests?
Match subject number and verb tense
Once you know if the subject is singular or plural, eliminate any verb forms that do not match that number. Then consider: is this describing a one-time event in the past, or a rule that is true every academic year?
Step-by-step Explanation
Identify the subject of the sentence
First, find who or what is doing or receiving the action. The sentence starts with "Written requests for extra summer housing." The core noun (the head noun) here is "requests", which is plural. The phrase "for extra summer housing" is just a prepositional phrase giving more detail about the requests and does not change the number of the subject.
Decide on the correct verb number (singular or plural)
Because the subject "requests" is plural, the verb form must also be plural to agree with it. In standard English, plural subjects take plural verbs (for example, "requests are" vs. "request is"). So we are looking for a plural verb form.
Check the appropriate verb tense for the context
The sentence describes a standing rule that applies every academic year: "no later than May 1 each academic year." Rules and general statements are usually written in the simple present tense (not past or perfect tenses). So the best verb will be present tense plural to match both the plural subject and the ongoing rule.
Match the correct answer choice to the needed form
Now compare the choices:
- "is" = singular present
- "are" = plural present
- "was" = singular past
- "has been" = singular present perfect
We need a plural present verb to agree with "requests" and to express a general rule. Only "are" fits both requirements, so the complete sentence is: "Written requests for extra summer housing are submitted no later than May 1 each academic year."