“Praise Song for the Day,” Elizabeth Alexander’s 2009 inaugural poem, asserts that “We cross dirt roads and highways…to see
what’s on the other side.” Alexander’s use of “we” ______ Americans’ collective efforts and shared desire to seek new
opportunity.
evokes
are evoking
have evoked
evoke
Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-verb agreement. The singular verb "evokes" agrees in
number with the singular subject "Alexander’s use."
Choice B is incorrect because the plural verb "are evoking" doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject "Alexander’s
use." Choice C is incorrect because the plural verb "have evoked" doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject
"Alexander’s use." Choice D is incorrect because the plural verb "evoke" doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject
"Alexander’s use."