An agreement question tests whether a verb matches its subject as one thing or more than one. Sort the verb forms by number, then ask who or what the words around the blank are about. If a joining word appears, check whether it connects parts of the subject. One thing takes a singular verb, and more than one takes a plural verb. Differences in tense don't fix a mismatch between the subject and verb.
Hints
- Hint 1
Look at the words after that, and ask who or what is at the bottom of the backpack.
- Hint 2
Check what and joins. Would you replace the full subject with it or they?
Step-by-step
Find the true subject
Step 1Sort the verb forms
Sort the verb forms by number, meaning whether they go with one thing or more than one. Was, has been, and is go with one thing, though their tenses differ. The question tests subject-verb agreement, which means the verb must match its subject in number. Who or what is at the bottom of her backpack?
- Step 2
Find what the blank describes
Read the part after Lena realized that: its subject is the map and compass. Does the blank's verb belong to Lena or to those objects? Lena already has her verb, realized, so the blank's verb belongs to the objects in the backpack. Two things joined by and make a plural subject, which means we're looking for a verb for more than one.
- Step 3
Check with they
Replace the full subject with they and test the forms: we say they were. The plural verb were matches they, and its past tense fits Lena realized, so were completes the sentence. Choice D.