English grammar – Spot the error (choose the part with an error or “No error”). Sentence: The book is making / waves and the sale / is quite brisk in / all major cities.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: is quite brisk in

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Here the test is subject–verb number agreement in a coordinated clause that refers to commerce. Common idiom is “sales are brisk.” If we retain “the sale” as a mass/collective noun, the more natural correction is still to use the plural “sales” and match the verb accordingly.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Clause 1: “The book is making waves …” is fine.
  • Clause 2 introduces “the sale …” followed by the verb “is.”
  • In business English, the plural “sales” takes a plural verb.


Concept / Approach:
Correct the number of the predicate: “sales are brisk.” Exams typically mark the verb segment as the error because agreement must reflect the (intended) plural subject “sales.”



Step-by-Step Solution:

Interpret intended subject: “sales” (plural).Change verb: “is” → “are”.Optionally revise noun: “the sale” → “the sales,” but the keyed error is the agreement carried in the verb segment.


Verification / Alternative check:

Corrected: “The book is making waves and the sales are quite brisk in all major cities.”


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

A: Idiom “make waves” is correct.B: Can be read as “the sale (of the book),” but agreement then must be singular across C; however, the accepted collocation is “sales are brisk.”D: Prepositional phrase of place is fine.


Common Pitfalls:

Overlooking agreement after coordination; not recognizing “sales” as a standard plural business term.


Final Answer:
is quite brisk in

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