Which rule best explains why the verb in the following sentence is correct?

publishing and presenting is the final stage of the writing process.

a singular verb is used because the two parts of the compound subject are thought of as a single item.
a singular verb is used because a compound subject connected by and needs to agree with the subject that is closer.
a singular verb is used because both parts of the compound subject connected by or are singular.
a singular verb is used because a singular indefinite pronoun comes before the compound subject.

Read the stanza below from the poem “tattoo” by gregg shapiro and answer the question that follows. if i could trade places with him i would pad the rest of his days wrap him in gauze and velvet absorb the shocks and treat his wounds i would scrub the numbers from his flesh extinguish the fire and give him back his life what does shapiro use to create the conceit in the lines above? a) he carries one line of poetry onto the next. b) he paints vivid word pictures that trigger the imagination by appealing to the five senses. c) he directly expresses a metaphor using like, as, or than. d) he uses physical protection to represent emotional protection.

[he] let his gaze wander to the swirling water of the stream racing madly beneath his feet. a piece of dancing driftwood caught his attention and his eyes followed it down the current. how slowly it appeared to move! what a sluggish stream! what contrasting words are used to describe the stream in this passage?

How do i correct this sentence correctly?