From the words lettered A to D below each of the following sentences, choose the word or group of words as it…

Analyze the question: This tests subject-verb agreement, specifically when a subject is followed by a parenthetical phrase such as "as well as". The sentence also has a time marker, "last month", which signals the past tense.

Explain the concept: Phrases like as well as, together with, along with, in addition to and besides do not make a subject plural. The verb agrees with the first noun, the true subject, and the phrase is only extra information.

Solution:

1. Find the true subject: "The coach", which is singular.
2. Ignore the phrase "as well as the players". It is set off by commas and does not change the subject.
3. Check the tense: "last month" means the past tense.
4. A singular subject in the past tense takes "was".

Complete sentence: The coach, as well as the players, was given fantastic gifts last month.

Eliminating the other options:

• B. were is plural, so it is wrong, because the subject is singular.
• C. are is plural and present tense, so it is wrong on both counts.
• D. is is singular but present tense, which clashes with "last month".

Answer: A. was

Exam tip: When you see as well as, along with, together with or in addition to, cover up the phrase and read the sentence without it. "The coach ___ given gifts" makes the correct verb obvious. Also, always check time words like last month, yesterday or in 2010 to confirm the tense.