JAMB 2020 English Language · Question 37

This class … students and teachers

Question

From the words lettered A to D, choose the word or group of words that best completes each of the following sentences. This class __________students and teachers

A.comprise
B.comprises
C.comprise of
D.comprises of

Answer: B. comprises

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question The sentence is "This class __ students and teachers." We need the correct verb form that fits the subject and takes a direct object, with no preposition.

Explain the concept

Subject-verb agreement: The subject is "this class", which is singular. A singular subject in the present tense takes a verb ending in -s, so we need "comprises", not "comprise".
"Comprise" is transitive: It means "to consist of" or "to include", and it takes a direct object. So we say "X comprises Y", never "X comprises of Y" or "X comprise of Y". The "of" is already built into the meaning of the verb.

Step-by-step solution

Option A, "comprise": the verb is plural, which does not agree with "this class". Wrong.
Option B, "comprises": the verb is singular and has no unnecessary preposition. Correct.
Option C, "comprise of": the verb is plural and has a wrong "of". Wrong.
Option D, "comprises of": the verb agrees, but "of" should not follow "comprise". Wrong.

Correct sentence: This class comprises students and teachers.

Answer: B. comprises

Exam tip Remember: "Comprise" already means "consist of", so never add "of" after it. You can say "consists of" or "comprises", but not "comprises of". Also check the subject first: singular subject, so use the verb with -s.

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