Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option:
The writer and illustrator of this picture book ______ visiting our school library tomorrow to read her stories to the junior classes.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → is
Subject-verb agreement with two nouns for one person:
Two nouns joined by “and” usually take a plural verb: The writer and the illustrator are coming.
- When “the” comes only once, before the first noun, both nouns name one person. So the verb is singular.
- Here one woman wrote the book and also drew its pictures. “Her stories” shows that it is one person. So the verb is is.
- Complete sentence: The writer and illustrator of this picture book is visiting our school library tomorrow to read her stories to the junior classes.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: are — Incorrect. “Are” is plural, but the subject here is one person. Example: The writer and the illustrator of this book are sisters.
Option 3: were — Incorrect. “Were” is plural, but the subject here is one person. Example: The guests were late for the wedding.
Option 4: have been — Incorrect. “Have been” is plural, but the subject here is one person. Example: The children have been visiting the library every Friday.