Three kilometres … quite a long distance

Analyze the question: The sentence is "Three kilometres __ quite a long distance." We need the verb that agrees with the subject.

Concept: Concord with plural-form subjects of measurement When a plural-looking expression refers to a single amount of distance, money, time, or weight, it is treated as one unit and takes a singular verb.

Examples:

• Ten thousand naira is a lot of money.
• Five years is a long time.
• Three kilometres is quite a long distance.

Step-by-step solution:

1. Subject: "Three kilometres". It is plural in form, but it is one total distance.
2. The complement is "quite a long distance", which is singular (a distance). This confirms the subject is being treated as a single unit.
3. The verb must therefore be singular and in the present tense, which gives is.

Checking the options:

• A. are: treats "kilometres" as separate items, which is wrong here.
• B. have been: plural verb, and the tense doesn't fit.
• C. is: singular, agrees with the distance as one unit. ✔
• D. were: plural past tense, which is wrong.

Correct answer: C. is.

Exam tip: When you see a plural measurement (money, time, distance, weight) followed by a singular noun like "a long distance", "a lot of money", or "a long time", choose the singular verb.