GCEEnglish LanguageGrammar and Usage2023

Select the option in which the subject and verb are in agreement.

AA number of students has failed the examination.
BThe number of students who failed the examination are alarming.
CA number of students have failed the examination.CORRECT
DThe number of students who failed are alarming.
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Toaster Teacher
Why the answer is C, and why the others tempt you.
'A number of' is an expression meaning 'many' and takes a plural verb, making 'have failed' correct in option C. In contrast, 'the number of' refers to a specific count and takes a singular verb. Option A incorrectly uses 'has' with 'a number of', while options B and D misuse 'are' with 'the number of', which should take 'is'.
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