Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined segment in the following sentence.
The number of seats in the movie theatre were reduced to comply with the new social distancing guidelines.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is option 1 i.e. in the movie theatre was reduced.
The subject of the sentence is "The number of seats" (not "seats").
"The number of" is singular and should take a singular verb.
The incorrect phrase "were reduced" (plural verb) does not match the singular subject.
The correct verb should be "was reduced" (singular) to match "The number of seats."
Corrected Sentence: The number of seats in the movie theatre was reduced to comply with the new social distancing guidelines.
Hence, the chosen option is correct.