Read the sentence to find out whether there is an error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. If there is no error, the answer is option (5). Ignore errors of punctuation, if any.

Shooting as well as horse riding (1) are taught (2) to cadets at the National Defence (3) Academy every morning. (4) 

Key Points

• The error is in part 2 of the sentence.
• According to the 'Proximity rule' of Subject-verb agreement, when a compound subject contains both a singular and a plural noun or pronoun joined by "or" or "nor," the verb should agree with the part of the subject that is closest to the verb. This is also called the rule of proximity.
• Also, according to the same rule, Two singular nouns joined by ‘with’, ‘as well as’, ‘in addition to’, ‘together’ and ‘besides’ will have a singular verb as the number of verb is always decided on the basis of the primary subject in a sentence. 
• In the above question sentence, 'Shooting' is considered to the primary subject that is singular in number. 'Horse riding' is an addition to the 'Primary subject' i.e. 'Shooting'. 
• Thus, the error is in part 2 of the sentence as the plural verb form ‘are’ is incorrect. It should be the singular verb form ‘is.’
  • For example, Ram, as well as Shyam, was absent during the concert.

​Correct sentence: "Shooting as well as horse riding is taught to cadets at the National Defence Academy every morning."