Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option:
At the moment, Meera and her little brother, who is only six, ______ busy making a rangoli at the gate.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → are
Subject-verb agreement with “and”:
- Two subjects joined by “and” make a plural subject. So they take a plural verb.
- “Meera and her little brother” are two people. “At the moment” shows the present. So the verb is are.
- “Who is only six” only describes the brother. It does not change the subject.
- Complete sentence: At the moment, Meera and her little brother, who is only six, are busy making a rangoli at the gate.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: is — Incorrect. “Is” is singular, but two subjects joined by “and” are plural. Example: My sister is good at drawing.
Option 2: was — Incorrect. “Was” is singular, but the subject is plural. Example: The road was wet after the rain.
Option 3: were — Incorrect. “Were” is plural, but it shows the past. The sentence is about now (“at the moment”). Example: Kabir and Ishaan were absent yesterday.