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Getting Smarter through Language

Practice 2: Simple and Complex Subjects and Subject-Verb Agreement

Instructions. Finding the simple subject

Based on this lesson about complex subjects and subject-ver agreement, identify (a) the complex subject and the (b) simple subject of each item below.

When you finished an item, click “Answer.”

Note. Your answers will not be submitted. When you leave this page, they will be deleted.

1. Studying new languages at any age has been shown to enhance the brain's executive functions, such as attention control and problem-solving abilities.

Complex subject:
Simple subject: 

Complex subject: Learning new languages at any age

Simple subject: learning

2. The number of American teenagers dropping out of high school has decreased in recent years.

Complex subject:
Simple subject: 

Complex subject: The number of American teenagers dropping out of high school

Simple subject: The number

3. Employees affected by the economic downturn have been forced to make difficult financial decisions.

Complex subject:
Simple subject: 

Complex subject: Employees affected by the economic downturn

Simple subject: Employees

4. Severe weather in portions of the American West has caused a great deal of financial losses.

Complex subject:
Simple subject: 

Complex subject: Severe weather in portions of the American West

Simple subject: (Severe) weather

5. The high cost of tuition and fees across American colleges has led many students to take on substantial debt to finance their education.

Complex subject:
Simple subject: 

Complex subject: The high cost of tuition and fees across American colleges

Simple subject: (The high) cost

6. Each student scoring below 70 on written assignments has the opportunity to revise and resubmit their work for a higher grade.

Complex subject:
Simple subject: 

Complex subject: Each student scoring below 70 on written assignments

Simple subject:  Each (student)

7. The main source of income for people living on the islands is palm oil and fishing.

Complex subject:
Simple subject: 

Complex subject: The main source of income for people living on the islands

Simple subject: (the main) source

8. During the spring and summer months, the inhabitants of this small tropical island flock to the capital city to sell their products to tourists.

Complex subject:
Simple subject: 

Complex subject: the inhabitants of this small tropical island

Simple subject: (the) inhabitants

9. One of the main reasons American voters choose not to vote is a lack of trust in the political system.

Complex subject:
Simple subject: 

Complex subject: One of the main reasons American voters choose not to vote

Simple subject: One (of the main reasons)

10. The lack of vitamin C in our diets is associated with an increased risk of various health problems such as scurvy and weakened immune system function.

Complex subject:
Simple subject: 

Complex subject: The lack of vitamin C in our diets

Simple subject: (The) lack

A different exercise?
Practice 1. Simple subject Practice 2. Simple subject Practice 3. Subject-verb agreement Practice 4. Subject-verb agreement   Back to the lesson
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