Multiple choice

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

The rise and fall in John's career is due to his bad health

  1. The rise and fall in John's career is due to his bad health

  2. The rise and fall in John's career are due to his bad health

  3. The ups and downs in John's career are due to John's bad health

  4. The rise as well as fall in John's career are due to his bad health

  5. The fall in John's career is due to his bad health
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A Correct answer
Explanation

If two or more singular nouns joined by 'and' suggest one idea to mankind or refer to the same person or thing the verb is singular. The rise and fall suggest one idea and refer to the same thing that is John's career, and the verb 'is' is singular.

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