Simple Present Tense: 'to Be' Verb Exercises - Multiple Choice Quiz

Reviewed by Juliette Firla
Juliette Firla, MA (Teaching Writing) |
English Teacher
Review Board Member
Juliette is a middle school English teacher at Sacred Heart of Greenwich, Connecticut. Juliette earned a BA in English/Language Arts Teacher Education from Elon University and an MA in Teaching Writing from Johns Hopkins University. She holds a Classroom Teacher license from the Connecticut State Department of Education. Juliette possesses strong skills in English language arts, writing, editing, and literature study. She has a deep passion for working with young people and contributing to the education of America's youth in the classroom.
, MA (Teaching Writing)
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Simple Present Tense: to Be Verb Exercises - Multiple Choice Quiz - Quiz


The "Verb To Be Quiz" is designed to help learners understand and apply this essential verb in English. The verb "to be" is crucial for constructing sentences, expressing existence, and describing people, places, and things. This quiz covers various forms of the verb, including "am," "is," "are," "was," "were," and more. It tests your knowledge of its use in different tenses, helping you become more confident in writing and speaking English.

No matter if you're a beginner or an advanced learner, these verb-to-be multiple-choice questions will challenge your understanding and solidify your grammar foundation. The results will offer helpful Read moreinsights on areas to improve, making it an excellent tool for anyone looking to enhance their language skills. Take the quiz to improve your grammar proficiency and gain a deeper understanding of this fundamental verb.


To Be Verb Questions and Answers

  • 1. 

    Tony & Jonathan ____ from Mexico.

    • A.

      Is

    • B.

      Am

    • C.

      Are

    Correct Answer
    C. Are
    Explanation
    "Tony & Jonathan" is a plural subject because it refers to more than one person. In English, the verb "to be" must agree with the number of the subject. For plural subjects, we use "are" in the present tense. "Is" is incorrect here because it is used with singular third-person subjects. Additionally, "am" is used with the first-person singular subject "I," not plural subjects. The correct verb choice, "are," reflects the plural subject "Tony & Jonathan," ensuring proper subject-verb agreement, which is crucial for accurate sentence construction.

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  • 2. 

    He ___ really intelligent. 

    • A.

      Is

    • B.

      Am

    • C.

      Are

    Correct Answer
    A. Is
    Explanation
    The verb "to be" must match the subject in person and number. The subject "He" is a singular third-person pronoun, so we use "is," the third-person singular form of the verb "to be." In English, "is" is used for singular subjects, such as "he," "she," or "it." The verb "are" is used with plural subjects or the pronoun "you," while "am" is used with the first-person singular pronoun "I." Using "is" ensures the correct subject-verb agreement, which is essential for forming grammatically accurate and clear sentences in English.

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  • 3. 

    David & Manuel _____ friends.

    • A.

      Is

    • B.

      Am

    • C.

      Are

    Correct Answer
    C. Are
    Explanation
    The subject "David & Manuel" refers to two individuals, making it a plural subject. In English, we use "are" when the subject is plural. "Is" is used for singular third-person subjects, and "am" is used with the first-person singular pronoun "I." In this case, the correct choice is "are" because "David & Manuel" are two people. Ensuring subject-verb agreement is crucial for correct grammar. "Are" maintains the plural agreement between the subject "David & Manuel" and the verb, which is a fundamental rule in constructing grammatically correct sentences.

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  • 4. 

    Cecy, Daisy, and Yulissa ___ funny.

    • A.

      Is

    • B.

      Are

    • C.

      Am

    Correct Answer
    B. Are
    Explanation
    The subject "Cecy, Daisy, and Yulissa" refers to three people, which makes it plural. In English, the verb "to be" agrees with the subject in number. For plural subjects, we use "are." "Is" would be incorrect here because it is used with singular subjects. Additionally, "am" is reserved for the first-person singular subject "I." By using "are," we maintain subject-verb agreement and ensure the sentence is grammatically correct. This rule of agreement between the subject and verb is essential in ensuring clarity and correctness in English.

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  • 5. 

    Sandra and I ___ best friends.

    • A.

      Am

    • B.

      Is

    • C.

      Are

    Correct Answer
    C. Are
    Explanation
    The subject "Sandra and I" refers to two people, which is plural. In English, when referring to two or more people, we use the verb "are" in the present tense. "Is" is incorrect because it is used with singular third-person subjects, and "am" is only used with the first-person singular pronoun "I." "Are" ensures the correct subject-verb agreement, aligning with the plural subject "Sandra and I." This grammatical rule helps to form clear, accurate sentences that reflect proper English usage for plural subjects.

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  • 6. 

    The sky ___ blue.

    • A.

      Am

    • B.

      Is

    • C.

      Are

    Correct Answer
    B. Is
    Explanation
    "The sky" is a singular subject, referring to one thing. In English, singular subjects take the verb "is" in the present tense. "Are" would be incorrect because it is used with plural subjects, and "am" is used with the first-person singular pronoun "I." Since "the sky" is singular, we use "is" to ensure the sentence follows the subject-verb agreement rule. This principle of subject-verb agreement is essential for proper English grammar, ensuring clarity and correctness in expressing singular ideas or objects.

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  • 7. 

    I ___  American.

    • A.

      Am

    • B.

      Is

    • C.

      Are

    Correct Answer
    A. Am
    Explanation
    The verb "to be" in the present tense is conjugated differently depending on the subject. For the subject "I," we use "am," which is the correct first-person singular form. In English, we use "am" exclusively with the pronoun "I." The verb "is" is used with third-person singular subjects (he, she, it), and "are" is used for plural subjects and the second-person singular pronoun "you." Understanding subject-verb agreement is essential for correct sentence formation. "Am" is the only correct form of the verb "to be" for the subject "I."

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  • 8. 

    We ___ hot.

    • A.

      Is

    • B.

      Are

    • C.

      Am

    Correct Answer
    B. Are
    Explanation
    The subject "we" is a plural pronoun, meaning it refers to more than one person or thing. In English, the verb "to be" agrees with the subject in number and person. For plural subjects, we use "are" as the correct verb form. "Is" is used for singular third-person subjects, while "am" is used only with the subject "I." The sentence "We are hot" correctly uses "are" because the subject "we" is plural. This is a fundamental aspect of subject-verb agreement in English grammar, which ensures proper sentence structure.

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  • 9. 

    The books ____ red and white.

    • A.

      Are

    • B.

      Is

    • C.

      Am

    Correct Answer
    A. Are
    Explanation
    The subject "books" is plural because it refers to more than one book. In English, the verb "to be" must agree with the number of the subject. For plural subjects, the correct verb form is "are." "Is" is incorrect because it is used with singular subjects, and "am" is only used with the first-person singular subject "I." Since "books" is plural, we use "are" to ensure subject-verb agreement. This principle is a key aspect of English grammar, helping to maintain clarity and correctness in sentence construction.

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  • 10. 

    Sr. Davis ____ tall.

    • A.

      Is

    • B.

      Are

    • C.

      Am

    Correct Answer
    A. Is
    Explanation
    The subject "Sr. Davis" is singular, referring to one person. In English, when the subject is singular, we use "is" as the verb form of "to be." "Are" is incorrect here because it is used with plural subjects, and "am" is used only with the first-person singular pronoun "I." The sentence "Sr. Davis is tall" uses "is" correctly because it matches the singular subject "Sr. Davis." This is a basic rule of subject-verb agreement in English, ensuring that the verb form corresponds correctly with the subject.

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  • 11. 

    Ms. Smith's class ____ small.

    • A.

      Is

    • B.

      Are

    • C.

      Am

    Correct Answer
    A. Is
    Explanation
    "Ms. Smith's class" is a collective noun referring to a group of students, but it is treated as a singular entity. In English, collective nouns are often considered singular, so they take the singular form of the verb "to be," which is "is." While "class" refers to a group of individuals, the noun is seen as a unit or collective whole, requiring "is" for subject-verb agreement. Therefore, the correct sentence is "Ms. Smith's class is small," ensuring proper subject-verb agreement with the singular collective noun.

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  • 12. 

    You ____ nice.

    • A.

      Is

    • B.

      Are

    • C.

      Am

    Correct Answer
    B. Are
    Explanation
    The subject "you" can refer to both singular and plural forms, but it always takes the verb "are" in the present tense. In English, "are" is the correct form of the verb "to be" for the second-person singular or plural pronoun "you." This rule applies whether "you" refers to one person or a group. Therefore, the sentence "You are nice" is grammatically correct because "are" agrees with the subject "you." This subject-verb agreement rule is essential for proper sentence structure in English, ensuring clarity and correctness.

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  • 13. 

    The school ___ a good place.

    • A.

      Is

    • B.

      Am

    • C.

      Are

    Correct Answer
    A. Is
    Explanation
    "The school" is a singular subject, and the verb "to be" must agree with the number of the subject. For singular subjects, we use "is." "Are" would be incorrect because it is used with plural subjects. "Am" is only used with the first-person singular pronoun "I." In this case, "is" is the correct form because it agrees with the singular subject "The school." This subject-verb agreement ensures grammatical accuracy, which is vital for forming proper sentences in English, especially when describing singular subjects.

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  • 14. 

    My mother and my brother ___ so kind.

    • A.

      Is

    • B.

      Am

    • C.

      Are

    Correct Answer
    C. Are
    Explanation
    The subject "My mother and my brother" is plural because it refers to two people. In English, when the subject is plural, we use the verb "are." "Is" is used with singular third-person subjects, and "am" is used with the first-person singular pronoun "I." Therefore, "are" is the correct verb form here to match the plural subject "My mother and my brother." This subject-verb agreement rule is essential for grammatical correctness and clarity in constructing sentences that accurately reflect the number of the subject.

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  • 15. 

    The yellow box and the pink box ___ beautiful.

    • A.

      Are

    • B.

      Is

    • C.

      Am

    Correct Answer
    A. Are
    Explanation
    The subject "The yellow box and the pink box" is plural because it refers to two objects. In English, when the subject is plural, the verb "to be" must be conjugated as "are." "Is" is incorrect because it is used with singular subjects, and "am" is used only with the first-person singular pronoun "I." Since "The yellow box and the pink box" is plural, we use "are" to ensure subject-verb agreement. This rule is crucial for constructing grammatically correct sentences that reflect the plurality of the subject.

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Juliette Firla |MA (Teaching Writing) |
English Teacher
Juliette is a middle school English teacher at Sacred Heart of Greenwich, Connecticut. Juliette earned a BA in English/Language Arts Teacher Education from Elon University and an MA in Teaching Writing from Johns Hopkins University. She holds a Classroom Teacher license from the Connecticut State Department of Education. Juliette possesses strong skills in English language arts, writing, editing, and literature study. She has a deep passion for working with young people and contributing to the education of America's youth in the classroom.

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