<p>"Introducing new ideas and replacing old ones is always a high controversial matter, especially when there is already tension between an older and younger generation.</p>
<p>Why is the verb 'is' correct if it's two actions of introducing news and replacing old ones?
I got the answer right, no error, just because of the fact that it said 'is always a highly controversial matter' in which matter was singular so the predicate nominative and nominative verb are always agreeing. But how are verb clauses with and treated. Examples highly appreciated too. Thanks.</p>
<p>This is a tricky one. If I remember the rule correctly, two gerunds joined by and take a plural verb if they refer to two distinct, unconnected ideas, but take a singular verb if they both refer to the same action or two facets of a unified action. In this case, "introducing" and "replacing" are essentially talking about the same action, so they function as a singular noun.</p>
<p>E.G. we would say "running to the store and buying some food is one of my favorite things to do" because running to the store and buying some food are part of one unified action.</p>
<p>On the other hand, we would say "jogging around the block and swimming in my pool are two of my favorite forms of exercise" because the jogging and the swimming are completely unrelated actions.</p>
<p>But as you said, you can just figure it out by looking at the predicate nominative.</p>
<p>Yeah wow, that was a tricky one, I think if I didn't take Latin where predicate nominative is actually stressed i wouldn't have gotten this. Well -1 and -2 on multiple choice so far... next up 10-12 on essay >.></p>
<p>Yeah, Latin is definitely a huge help on the Writing section. I've hardly done any grammar review, and I've only missed one writing question on the first three BB practice tests, largely I think because knowing Latin makes you so aware of how proper English should be constructed. (subject-verb agreement, antecendent-consequent relationships, and all the other stuff that's essential in Latin.)</p>
<p>Now if only that holds up on March 14... there's such a big difference between -0 and -1 on the writing. I don't want to have to bank on an 11-12 essay.</p>