Set 16: Boundaries
Explanation
PASSAGE
Neither the professor nor the team members _______ aware of the changes.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Detailed Answer Explanation
The correct answer is 'were' because of the rule: neither/nor agreement with closer subject. The neither/nor construction follows a special agreement rule where the noun closest to the verb determines whether the verb is singular or plural. This differs from standard subject-verb agreement rules.
Key Evidence:
• "Neither the professor nor the team members _______ aware of ..."
Why others are wrong: A ('is' is singular present tense but the sentence requires plural agreement with the closer subject), B ('being' is not a finite verb and cannot complete this sentence structure), D ('was' would only be correct if the closer subject were singular).