In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the bracketed part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select "no improvement". Neither teacher nor the boys (is) in a mood to play.?

Option 2 : are

The correct answer is Option 2, i.e., ‘are’.

The given sentence needs improvement because it does not follow the agreement of the verb with the subject.

When one of the subjects joined by ‘nor’ is plural, the verb must be plural.

Here, the subject ‘the boys’ is in the plural.

Therefore, the verb must agree to it and the right form of the verb will be plural (‘are’ instead of ‘is’).

So, the correct sentence will be ‘Neither teacher nor the boys are in a mood to play’.

To understand the concept better 

go through the link mentioned below :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjZfJILIvNE&feature=youtu.be