<p dir="ltr" style=""><span><span style="">This question is a simple sentence. The subject of this sentence is “The panel composed of five scholars,” and the blank should be filled with a verb. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style=""><span><span style="">The word “commission” can be used either as a noun or a verb. Here it is used as a verb to express the meaning of formally asking someone to write an official report. </span></span></p><p>Based on the meaning of the context, the panel is commissioned to do something instead of commissioning others to do something. Thus, (A) "commissions" and (D) "will commission" are eliminated since they both use the verb “commission” in the active voice, not in the passive voice. <br></p><p>Now, let's look at the subject "The panel". The subject is singular. Based on the Subject-agreement rule, we need to find a singular verb. Therefore, (C) "is commissioned" is the correct answer.</p><p>(B) "are commissioned" is eliminated because "are" the plural verb. </p>