Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option:
Every day, the founder and headmaster of our village school ______ his walk around the playground before the first bell.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → takes
Subject-verb agreement when two nouns name one person:
- When two nouns are joined by “and” but only the first one has “the”, they name one person. Such a subject takes a singular verb.
- Here “the founder and headmaster” is one man. “His walk” also shows that it is one person. “Every day” shows a habit in the present. So the verb is takes.
- Complete sentence: Every day, the founder and headmaster of our village school takes his walk around the playground before the first bell.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 2: take — Incorrect. “Take” is plural, but the subject is one person. Example: The founder and the headmaster take turns to teach Class 5.
Option 3: took — Incorrect. “Took” shows the past. The sentence is about a habit now (“every day”). Example: Dadaji took a long walk yesterday.
Option 4: have taken — Incorrect. “Have taken” is plural, but the subject is one person. Example: The boys have taken their seats.