【问】 There____the last piece of cake and the last spoonful of ice cream.
 A. we go B. goes
 C. go D. are losing
 正确答案是C(go)，但是，下面的句子与它相似，谓语动词却用了单数：
 There was a bed and a big wardrobe with a mirror. (Hemingway)
 不知您如何解释这种现象。
 【答】 在there be和here be句型中，我们可以看到主语与谓语的一致遵循着两个相互矛盾的原则：接近原则和语法一致原则。下面是遵循接近原则的例句：
 1. There was also an apple tree and a pear tree.
 还有一棵苹果树和一棵梨树。
 2. Here is a pen，a few envelopes and some paper for you.
 这儿有一支钢笔，几个信封和一些纸供你使用。
 3. There was an office desk，a revolving chair，bookshelves，a safe...
 里面摆着一张办公桌、一把转椅、几个书架和一个保险箱……
 这种接近原则，尽管使用得很广泛，但是仍然受到语言纯正主义者的批评。在这里他们只承认语法一致原则：
 1. There were Dalby and Mrs. Dalby.
 那儿有多尔比和多尔比夫人。
 2. There were only one or two chaps there.
 那儿只有一两个小伙子。
 托福考题便是按照语言纯正主义者的观点来考核学生的：
 1. At the bus stop____a soldier and two young people on their way to North Carolina.A. were B. was C. is D. sits and waits(TOEFL教程)
 2. Here____notebook and report that I promised you last week.
 A. is the B. are the
 C. was the D. has been a(TOEFL)
 3. In the room____an arm-chair，a table，and a desk.
 A. there have B. there is C. there are D. there was(TOEFL 教程)
 4. Traditionally，there has been only two major political parties in the United States——the Republicansand the Democrats. (TOEFL，80. 5)