These days, over 75% of the cups of tea drunk in Britain _________ made with tea bags.

These days, over 75% of the cups of tea drunk in Britain _________ made with tea bags.

• A. Is
• B. Were
• C. Am
• D. Are

Answer: (D)

The main idea tested is subject-verb agreement with a percentage that refers to a plural noun. Here the subject is “the cups” (plural) in “the cups of tea drunk in Britain.” Because the thing being talked about is many cups, the verb should be plural, giving “are.” The sentence is in the present simple to state a general fact about current habits, so the present plural form fits. The rest of the phrase, “made with tea bags,” is a passive construction describing how the cups are prepared. Using any form that mismatches number or tense, like a singular or past form, would not fit the sense of a present, general truth.

The main idea tested is subject-verb agreement with a percentage that refers to a plural noun. Here the subject is “the cups” (plural) in “the cups of tea drunk in Britain.” Because the thing being talked about is many cups, the verb should be plural, giving “are.” The sentence is in the present simple to state a general fact about current habits, so the present plural form fits. The rest of the phrase, “made with tea bags,” is a passive construction describing how the cups are prepared. Using any form that mismatches number or tense, like a singular or past form, would not fit the sense of a present, general truth.