A verb agreement question tests whether a verb matches its subject, the person or thing it's about. Sort the forms by number: singular verbs go with it, and plural verbs go with they. Then ask who or what does the work to find the true subject. Cross out extra information between subject and verb because it doesn't add another subject. The verb must match that subject's number, not the number of a nearby noun.
Hints
- Hint 1
After the opening phrase about size, look for who or what does the delivering.
- Hint 2
Read the sentence without the phrase beginning with along with. Does that phrase join two subjects the way and does, or add extra information?
Step-by-step
Sort, find, and match
Step 1Sort the forms by number
Start by sorting the verb forms by number, since this blank needs a verb that matches its subject, the person or thing doing the delivering. The forms deliver, are delivering, and were delivered all work with they, so they're plural forms even though their tenses differ. We can settle number before tense by asking who or what provides the performances that rival those of professional ensembles.
- Step 2
Cross out extra information
Despite its modest size gives background, so set it aside to reach the main part of the sentence. Who or what does the delivering there? the community orchestra does, and along with its volunteer conductor adds a person connected to it. Along with doesn't join two subjects the way and does, so cross out that phrase between commas rather than count the conductor as a second subject. After those phrases are gone, the orchestra is the only subject left to match to the blank.
- Step 3
Match the subject and verb
Is the community orchestra one thing or more than one? The subject names one orchestra as a group, not its individual musicians, so use a singular verb. Shrink the subject to it: it delivers performances. The form delivers agrees with that subject and completes the sentence. Choice D.