Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option:
The rescue team _______ in the region that was hit by the recent earthquake. [Intermediate]

• A. are
• B. were
• C. was
• D. will
  

Answer 1

The correct option is C was

The noun 'rescue team' is collective. Hence it will be considered as singular in agreement with the verb.

The subject and verb must agree with one another in terms of number and tense. A singular verb must agree with a singular subject, and vice versa.

Option C: 'Was' is a singular past tense verb. It agrees with the singular collective noun 'team', as well as the tense of the sentence. 'Recent' suggests that the earthquake has happened in the past. Hence option C is correct.

Option A: 'Are' is a plural verb that expresses the present tense. It does not agree with the singular noun here, as well as the tense of the sentence. Hence A is incorrect.

Option B: 'Were' is a plural verb whereas the subject 'team' is singular.

Option D: 'Will' is a future tense verb. But, it is an incomplete verb phrase ('will be' would be the complete verb phrase.) Hence option D is incorrect.