Is it enough to spot the correct verb form in a grammar MCQ? Not always. Some PSLE questions, like Question 7 from the 2024 paper, test more than one grammar rule at once.
In this blog post, we’ll show you how this question checks two important concepts:
✅ Tense (Does the verb match the time clue?)
✅ Subject-Verb Agreement (Is the verb singular or plural?)
Let’s take a closer look.
PSLE 2024 Grammar MCQ – Question 7
The news about the famous singer performing in Singapore next year __________ since yesterday.
(1) is circulating
(2) are circulating
(3) has been circulating
(4) have been circulating
Looks simple? Look again. This sentence checks if your child can spot:
🔹 A singular subject hidden in a long phrase
🔹 A tense that must match the time clue “since yesterday”
Only one option checks both boxes. Let’s break it down.
Understanding the Question
This is not just a subject-verb agreement question. It also requires identifying the correct tense. The subject is “The news”. Even though it ends with “-s”, it’s an uncountable singular noun.
Next, look at the phrase “since yesterday”. This time marker requires a perfect tense to show an action that began in the past and continues to the present.
Your child must check both:
✅ Is the verb singular?
✅ Is it in the right tense?
Option-by-Option Analysis
Option (1): is circulating
🔍 Present continuous, singular verb
❌ Subject-verb match: ✅ Yes
❌ Tense: ❌ No. Doesn’t work with “since yesterday”. Needs a perfect tense.
Option (2): are circulating
🔍 Present continuous, plural verb
❌ Subject-verb match: ❌ No. “News” is singular.
❌ Tense: ❌ No. Wrong on both counts.
Option (3): has been circulating ✅
🔍 Present perfect continuous, singular verb
✅ Subject-verb match: ✅ Yes
✅ Tense: ✅ Yes. Perfect for showing ongoing action since a specific point in the past.
Example: ✅ The news has been spreading since Monday.
Option (4): have been circulating
🔍 Present perfect continuous, plural verb
❌ Subject-verb match: ❌ No
✅ Tense: ✅ Yes
But even though the tense is correct, the subject-verb agreement is wrong, and that makes this option incorrect.
Grammar Focus: 2 Concepts, 1 Question
1. Subject-Verb Agreement
“News” is uncountable and singular.
✅ The news is on at 6 PM.
❌ The news are shocking.
Other similar singular nouns:
• advice
• information
• luggage
• furniture
2. Tense Consistency with Time Clues
The phrase “since yesterday” demands a present perfect or present perfect continuous tense. These tenses show the action started in the past and is still relevant now.
✅ She has lived here since 2018.
✅ The show has been running since last year.
Strategy: Always Read the Entire Sentence Carefully
In Paper 2 MCQs, don’t rush. Always:
1. Identify the main subject
Ignore long descriptive phrases like “about the famous singer”. Find the real noun before the verb.
2. Spot the time clue
Phrases like “since yesterday”, “for the past week”, or “already” signal specific tenses. Adjust accordingly.
3. Check both grammar rules, not just one
Many PSLE grammar questions are designed to test multiple rules at once. Just spotting the singular/plural form is not enough.
From the Team at WRITERS AT WORK
At WRITERS AT WORK, we teach students to read grammar questions with purpose. Our students learn to:
• Recognise multiple grammar rules in one question
• Match verb tense to time indicators
• Avoid traps set by complex sentence structures
📍 Let your child experience grammar the strategic way. Check out our Comprehensive English Programmes designed to build PSLE Paper 2 mastery from the ground up.
FAQs – PSLE Grammar Practice Questions
Q1: How do I know a question is testing more than one grammar rule?
Look for time phrases (like “since yesterday”) and tricky subjects (like “news” or “a group of students”). These are clues that the question may involve both tense and subject-verb agreement. Always read the whole sentence before deciding.
Q2: What makes subject-verb agreement tricky in PSLE grammar?
Some singular subjects like “news” or “mathematics” sound plural. Others are hidden in long phrases. Students must learn to identify the true subject and ignore distracting details.
Q3: How can I help my child avoid common tense mistakes?
Teach them to spot time clues like “since”, “for the past”, or “already”. Pair each clue with the correct tense, and reinforce this through guided practice using PSLE-style questions.
About the Author: Jemmies Siew
This article was authored by Jemmies Siew, Managing Director and Co-Founder of WRITERS AT WORK Enrichment Centre. With over 15 years of experience in education, entrepreneurship, and marketing, Jemmies has helped shape Singapore’s English enrichment landscape through her vision for transformative learning.
She is passionate about connecting real-world issues with language learning, helping students think critically and express themselves clearly. Connect with her on LinkedIn to follow her insights on education, content marketing, and thought leadership.
Want to help your child develop critical writing and comprehension skills? Explore our programs at www.writersatwork.com.sg
