One of his close friends … a soldier

Step 1: Analyze the question We need a verb that fits the sentence "One of his close friends __ a soldier." This is a test of subject-verb agreement.

Step 2: Explain the concept When a sentence has the structure "One of + plural noun," the real subject is "One", which is singular. The phrase "of his close friends" only describes which one, so it does not decide the verb. The verb must therefore be singular.

Examples:

• One of the boys is absent.
• One of my books has been stolen.

Step 3: Solve step by step

1. Find the subject. It is "One", not "friends".
2. "One" is singular, so it needs a singular verb.
3. Check each option: • A. is: singular, and it fits the present tense. ✔ • B. are: plural, so it is wrong. • C. have been: plural, so it is wrong. • D. were: plural past form, so it is wrong.

Step 4: Answer The correct sentence is: One of his close friends is a soldier.

Tip: In "one of the + plural noun" structures, ignore the plural noun and match the verb to "one". Cross out the "of ..." phrase, and you get "One ___ a soldier", which clearly takes "is".