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5. Complete this table to compare how Tom felt in the beginning of the story and at the end of

the story. Also, list the reasons for change. life skill analytical thinking

Tom in the beginning of Tom at the end of Reasons for change
the story the story

deep melancholy settled Tom was rolling in wealth. Tom realises that he can trick
down upon his spirit Ben to give up his apple and
also whitewash the fence.

sat down discouraged

Tom’s energy did not last.

At the end of the story, the
fence is painted, he is rich
and happy.

Time to study language

You have learnt that the subject of a sentence must agree with the verb. The basic rule is that a
singular subject takes a singular verb. And a plural subject takes a plural verb. This rule is called
subject-verb agreement. Let’s see some examples.

• Tom is whitewashing the fence.

• Tom Sawyer appears on the sidewalk with a bucket of whitewash.

• Tom’s sorrows multiply on seeing the fence.

• The boys have fun whitewashing the fence.

There are a few more rules of subject-verb agreement. Let us study them.

1. When two subjects are connected by and they require a plural verb. For example,

• The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn were written by
Mark Train.

2. When two singular subjects are connected by or, neither…nor or either…or, they require a
singular verb. For example,

• Neither Ben nor Billy realises that they are being tricked by Tom.

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