Fill in the Blanks

When a subject means 'a number of' or 'a group of', use a singular verb. 'The parade' is the true subject - 'of cars and horses' just describes what's in the parade. The parade itself is one event, so 'was' is correct.

Amounts of money are treated as singular even when the number is plural. 'Ten rupees' is one total price or amount, not individual rupees being counted. When referring to a sum as a whole, use 'is'.

When a quantity like 'five millilitres' is treated as a single amount or measurement, it takes a singular verb. 'Seems' agrees with the singular idea of the amount, not the plural noun. 'Seem' would be incorrect here because we're focusing on the total quantity as one unit.

With 'neither...nor' constructions, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. Here, 'members' is plural and closer to the verb, so 'are' is correct. 'Is' would be wrong because it doesn't agree with the nearer subject. 'Will/would' are auxiliary verbs that don't fit the context.

When two nouns refer to the same person using a single article ('my severest critic AND best friend'), the subject is singular and requires a singular verb. 'Is' correctly identifies that one person (the wife) fulfills both roles. 'Are' would incorrectly suggest two different people.

The subject of this sentence is 'cost' (singular), not 'cars'. The prepositional phrase 'of new cars' just describes which cost we're discussing. Since 'cost' is singular, it takes the singular verb 'is'. 'Are' would incorrectly make 'cars' the subject.

In this inverted sentence starting with a preposition, 'Italy' is the subject (singular), so it needs the singular verb 'lies'. 'Lie' would be for plural subjects. 'Liers' is not a valid word - it's either 'liars' (people) or 'layers' (one who lays). This is about geographical location.

'News' is a singular uncountable noun in English, even though it ends with 's'. It always takes a singular verb like 'is', never 'are' or 'have'. 'Had' is past tense but doesn't agree with the present context. Treat 'news' like 'information' or 'evidence' - always singular.

This is the correct option, as pass muster means doing something satisfactorily. The entrance exam was very tough, but I hope I will pass muster.

This is the correct option. A person who lives the life of Riley has a comfortable and enjoyable life, without having to make much effort. After her marriage to a millionaire, she has been living the life of Riley. All her worries and tensions are now over!

This is the correct option. To jump the gun implies to do something before it should be done. The doctors did not want to jump the gun to give a reason for the outbreak before the investigation was completed.

This is the correct option. A light bulb moment is when you have a sudden moment of inspiration, comprehension or realization. Sunil had a light bulb moment when he finally realised what was the problem in his computer. He sorted the problem and now his computer is working fine!

This is the correct option. To sell someone down the river means to do something which harms or disappoints someone who trusted you. The public, in general, feels that all the political parties have sold them down the river. The public trusts none of the parties now!

This is the correct option. Going under the knife means undergoing medical procedures or surgery. The heroines these days go under the knife to look beautiful and young. But in reality, it is otherwise!

This is the correct option. Threw in the towel implies that one is going to quit. Amit could not bear the insults being meted out by his brother. He threw in the towel and left!