Choose the option that best completes the sentence: 'The committee _____ divided in its decision.'

**The reasoning** This tests **collective noun agreement**. "Committee" is a collective noun — it refers to a group acting as a single unit. In British and formal English (which JAMB follows), when the group acts **as one body**, use a singular verb. Here, "the committee" is divided **as a whole unit** — it's one committee experiencing internal division. So we say "**is** divided" (singular), not "are divided" (plural). Think of it this way: You're talking about ONE committee that happens to have disagreement inside it. **Why the wrong options tempt you** - **B) "are"** — You're thinking "multiple people = plural verb." But grammatically, you're referring to the committee itself (singular), not the individual members. - **C) "were"** — Same plural trap, plus wrong tense. Nothing signals past tense here. - **D) "has"** — "Has divided" changes the meaning entirely (suggesting the committee split into separate groups), and sounds awkward. **Quick takeaway** When a collective noun (committee, team, government, family) acts as ONE UNIT, pair it with a singular verb — even if many people are inside that group.