Fill in the blanks with the correct pair of words arranged sequentially:
I_________ now that his views on how to control pollution ______ worth listening to.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → am convinced, are
Tense and subject-verb agreement:
- Clue word: "now" shows a present state of mind, so the first blank needs the simple present am convinced.
- The verb agrees with its real subject, not with a noun in a phrase that comes between them.
- The subject of the second clause is "views" (plural). "On how to control pollution" only describes it. So the plural verb are is needed.
- Two-step check: 1. tense of the first blank ("now" → am convinced). 2. agreement in the second blank ("views" → are).
- Complete sentence: I am convinced now that his views on how to control pollution are worth listening to.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 2: am convinced, is — Incorrect.
- Blank 1: "am convinced" is right.
- Blank 2: "is" does not agree with the plural subject "views".
Option 3: was convinced, is — Incorrect.
- Blank 1: "was convinced" puts the belief in the past, against the clue word "now".
- Blank 2: "is" does not agree with "views".
Option 4: have been convinced, is — Incorrect.
- Blank 1: "have been convinced" is less natural with "now" than the simple present "am convinced".
- Blank 2: "is" does not agree with the plural subject "views", so the pair cannot be correct.