Agreement of the Verb with Its Subject

The news is spreading quickly.

Step 1: Identify the noun type - 'news' is a noun that is plural in form but singular in meaning. Step 2: Apply the rule - nouns plural in form but singular in meaning take singular verbs. Step 3: Use the singular verb 'is' with 'news'. Step 4: Other options use plural verbs (are, were, have been) which are incorrect with 'news'.

receives

Step 1: Identify the subject - 'Each student' uses the determiner 'each'. Step 2: Apply the rule - 'each' before a subject requires a singular verb. Step 3: Use the singular verb 'receives' to agree with 'each student'. Step 4: Plural verbs like 'receive', 'are receiving', and 'were receiving' are incorrect with 'each'.

are

Step 1: Identify the phrase - 'A number of' is used before 'books'. Step 2: Apply the rule - 'a number of' takes a plural verb because it emphasizes the many items. Step 3: Use the plural verb 'are' to agree with the plural meaning. Step 4: This is different from 'the number of' which would take a singular verb. Singular options (is, was, has been) are incorrect here.

Five hundred rupees is a lot of money.

Step 1: Identify the subject type - 'Five hundred rupees' refers to an amount of money. Step 2: Apply the rule - plural numbers referring to money, distance, or weight are treated as singular when referring to a total amount. Step 3: Use the singular verb 'is' because we're talking about the total sum. Step 4: Plural verbs (are, were, have been) would be incorrect when referring to the amount as a whole.