Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option.
Tom and Helen ____________ the radio.

• A. are listening on
• B. are listening to
• C. is listening on
• D. is listening to

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

are listening to

In the given sentence, a verb is missing and thus, the answer must contain a verb. There are two subjects here(Tom and Helen) and so the verb must be able to refer to a plural subject. Also, the sentence indicates that the verb is an action being carried out through the agency of the radio. Thus, the answer must contain a preposition indicating agency.

Option A is incorrect. Here, 'are' is an auxiliary that can refer to a plural subject but, 'on' is a preposition of place and not agency. Thus, it indicates that the action is being carried out at a place above the radio and not through its agency. Therefore, it is incorrect.

Option B is correct. 'are listening to' contains an auxiliary 'are' that can refer to a plural subject. Also, 'to' is a preposition of agency and conveys the correct meaning. Thus, it is correct.

Option C is incorrect. Here, 'is' can only refer to a singular subject and thus, using it will make the sentence grammatically incorrect

Option D is incorrect. Here, 'is' can only refer to a singular subject and thus, using it will make the sentence grammatically incorrect.