复数的高考题(a large)

答：该问题主要涉及的知识点为：quantity 与后面谓语动词单、复数搭配(即主谓一致)。但是关于quantity 与谓语单复数搭配，现在说法不统一。主要有两种观点：1、与词形保持一致a quantity of /quantities of 不管后面接复数还是单数(包括不可数)名词，只看quantity 本身。即：a quantity of 中的quantity 是单数，谓语动词就用单数；quantities of 中quantities 是复数，谓语动词则与复数保持一致。例如：Quantities of nuts were on the table.A quantity of nuts was on the table.2、与意义保持一致There is only a small quantity of wine left.Great quantities of sand was washed down the hillside by the rain last night.A large quantity of air conditions have been sold since the summer came.Huge quantities of oil were shipped to Japan last year.结论：目前，比较倾向于与quantity 的词形保持一致，即 a quantity of 是单数，quantities of 是复数，而不管后面接单数或复数的名词。例如，某省一道高考题如下：With many forests being destroyed, huge quantities of good earth ______ each year.A. is washing away B. is being washed away它所给的答案是D. 此题中，earth 是不可数名词，但quantities 是复数，所以谓语采用了复数形式D.