Difficulty: Easy

Average Score: 100%

Select the best version of the underlined part of the sentence. If you think the original sentence is best, choose the first answer.

Our math teacher claimed that calculus, despite its complexities, were as easy as any other subject.

Rationale

Our math teacher claimed that calculus, despite its complexities, was as easy as any other subject.

The correct form here is "was," as it agrees with the singular subject "calculu" and maintains the proper tense for conveying the teacher's statement about calculus.

A (were as) YOUR ANSWER

Using "were" implies a plural subject, which does not align with "calculus," a singular noun. The verb must agree in number with its subject, making this choice grammatically incorrect.

B (was as) CORRECT

This choice correctly uses the past tense singular verb "was," which matches the singular noun "calculus." It conveys the teacher's assertion accurately and maintains proper grammatical structure.

C (is to be) YOUR ANSWER

The phrase "is to be" introduces a future or intended action rather than referencing a past claim. This changes the meaning of the original statement and disrupts the intended tense, making it an inappropriate choice.

D (to be) YOUR ANSWER

This option lacks a proper verb form and does not complete the sentence meaningfully. "To be" by itself does not convey the necessary action or state of being that the sentence requires, rendering it grammatically incomplete.

Conclusion

The sentence requires a verb that agrees with the singular subject "calculus" and indicates a past assertion. The choice "was as" fulfills both grammatical and contextual requirements, while the other options either misalign with the subject's number or introduce incorrect tense. Thus, the correct answer effectively preserves the intended meaning of the teacher's statement.