Spot the error in the following sentence; if there is no error, mark (d). A time slot of fifteen minutes (a) are allowed (b) to each speaker (c). No error (d)
- (a)A time slot of fifteen minutes
- (b)are allowed
- (c)to each speaker
- (d)No error
Correct — B, 'are allowed'. The subject is the singular 'A time slot', so the verb must be singular — 'is allowed'. The plural 'fifteen minutes' sits inside the 'of'-phrase and does not control the verb; the real subject 'a time slot' does.
- (a)A time slot of fifteen minutes — Correct — this is the singular subject, and the plural 'minutes' is only part of the describing phrase.
- (c)to each speaker — Correct — 'to each speaker' is a well-formed prepositional phrase.
- (d)No error — There is a subject-verb agreement error ('are' should be 'is'), so 'No error' does not apply.
The verb agrees with the true subject head ('a time slot' is singular), not with a plural noun ('minutes') buried in an 'of'-phrase.
No directly related past PYQ was found.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Choose the correct sentence.
- (a)A bunch of keys are on the table.
- (b)A bunch of keys is on the table.
- (c)A bunch of key is on the table.
- (d)A bunch of keys were on the table.
Answer(b) — the subject 'a bunch' is singular, so 'is'.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Fill in the blank: 'A box of chocolates ______ on the shelf.'
- (a)are
- (b)were
- (c)is
- (d)have been
Answer(c) is — the subject 'a box' is singular.