Question

A swarm of desert honeybees, a phenomenon seen by few of the select scientists and entomologists, occur when a portion of the colony leave the current nest to find a new home.

• A. few of the select scientists and entomologists, occur when a portion of the colony leave
• B. a select few scientists and entomologists, only occurs when portions of the colony leaves
• C. very few selected scientists and entomologists, occur when portions of the colony leave
• D. only very few selected scientists and entomologists, occurs when a portion of the colony leaves
• E. only a select few scientists and entomologists, occurs when a portion of the colony leaves

Hint:

In a long sentence, identify the main subject and its verb first. Ignore interrupting phrases (appositives, prepositional phrases) to check for the most common error: subject-verb agreement.

Answer 1

Answer: (E)

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question tests subject-verb agreement with a singular subject and a singular collective noun.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Main Clause Agreement: The main subject of the sentence is "A swarm." The phrase "of desert honeybees" is a prepositional phrase, and the long clause set off by commas ("a phenomenon...") is an appositive modifying "swarm." The core subject is "swarm," which is singular. Therefore, the main verb must be singular. The original sentence uses the plural verb "occur," which is incorrect. The verb should be "occurs." This eliminates options (A) and (C).
Subordinate Clause Agreement: The second part of the sentence is a subordinate clause: "...when a portion of the colony leave...". The subject of this clause is "a portion." "Of the colony" is a prepositional phrase. When the subject is a fraction or portion, the verb agrees with the noun in the prepositional phrase ("colony"). "Colony" is a singular collective noun, so it requires a singular verb. The verb should be "leaves," not "leave." This eliminates options (A) and (C) again.
Now we choose between (B), (D), and (E). Option (E) reads smoothly and correctly: "...occurs when a portion of the colony leaves...". Option (B) has "portions...leaves" which is a subject-verb disagreement. Option (D) has "a portion...leaves" which is correct, but the phrasing "only very few" is slightly less idiomatic than "only a select few" in this scientific context. Between (D) and (E), (E) is the best construction.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The main subject "A swarm" is singular and requires the verb "occurs." The subject of the second clause, "a portion (of the colony)," is also singular and requires the verb "leaves." Option (E) corrects both errors.