Answer :
Final answer:
The correct verb form is 'remains' because 'optimism' is a singular noun requiring a singular verb. Maintaining verb tense consistency throughout a text is crucial for clarity.
Explanation:
The correct form of the verb in the sentence 'Optimism among the incumbent's supporters remains high despite a recent drop in candidate polls' is remains. The word 'optimism' is a singular noun, and therefore requires the singular form of the verb. In this case, the singular third-person present tense of 'to remain' is 'remains.'
Verb Tense Consistency
When writing, it is important to maintain verb tense consistency. This rule suggests that all parts of a sentence should be in the same tense unless a specific change in time is warranted. This practice is essential to avoid confusing the reader and to ensure the clarity of the message being conveyed. In the exercise provided, working with a peer partner to choose the most effective verb forms based on the tense of the main text encourages the development of this skill.