Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option:
Effective speaking ____________ on effective listening.

• A. Depends
• B. Depend
• C. Depended
• D. Depending

Answer 1

The correct option is A Depends

The correct verb must agree with the subject in person and number.
The subject here is 'effective speaking', it's singular. Hence the verb must also be singular.
Also, the given sentence states a general truth. This defines the simple present tense.
Option A 'Depends' is a singular verb, and is in the simple present tense.
As mentioned earlier, the verb must agree with the subject in person. 'Effective speaking' refers to an abstract noun, hence it is taken as an object. So it is in the third person narrative. 'Depends' is used for the third person.
Hence A is the correct option.
Option B: 'Depend' is also a singular verb, but it is in the first or second person narrative.
Options C and D: 'Depended' refers to the past tense and 'depending' is a present participle. Without the helping verb (is, are, etc.) the present participle cannot be used as a verb.
Hence these options are incorrect.