EXXCEL

Digital SAT Reading and Writing Test 4 Question 9

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Answer:
D

Explanation

The word game Scrabble is an earlier version of Lexiko by American architect Alfred Mosher Butts. This game can be played with two to four players with a board divided into 15 by 15 grid squares; arranging letter tiles to spell words awards players points based on the sum of the value of the letters and the board tiles.

Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-verb agreement. The singular verb “awards” agrees in number with the singular subject, which is the gerund phrase “arranging letter tiles to spell words.”

Choices A, B, and C: The plural verbs “award,” “have awarded,” and “are awarding” do not agree in number with the singular subject “arranging letter tiles to spell words.”

✨ Expert's Tip ✨

  • When the answer choices are verbs, be sure to first check out their agreement in number with the subject.
  • Gerund subjects are singular and therefore take a singular verb.
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