Instructions: Select the letter of the correct verb or verbs for each sentence. As a tsunami ( approaches , approach ) a coastline, its length ( shortens , shorten ) as its height ( increases , increase ).
A) approaches, shortens, increases
B) approach, shorten, increase

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The subject "tsunami" is singular, so the verb should also be singular, which is "approaches" in option A. The relationship between length and height of a tsunami is that as the height increases, the length shortens, which is presented in option A with "shortens" and "increases". The subject of the sentence is "a tsunami" which is singular, so the verb "approaches" should also be singular. "Shortens" is the correct verb to show that the length of the tsunami decreases as it gets closer to the coastline. "Increases" is the correct verb to show that the height of the tsunami gets higher as it approaches the coastline. Therefore, we use the singular verb "approaches" and the plural verbs "shortens" and "increases" to match their respective subjects.

Instructions: Select the Letter of the Correct Verb or Verbs