既可以修饰可数名词也可以修饰不可数名词:
它的含义是:大量的
如: I have a broad range of words.
I know a lot of words. 
I own a broad range of land
I own a lot of land. 
用单数者,说明主语的中心词是 a range 或 a group,而后面的of 短语,作定语修饰range 或group。
用复数者,说明主语的中心词是of 后面的那个复数名词。而把a range of 或 a group of 整体看作限定语,修饰后面的名词
1、 A wide range of colours and patterns are available.
a wide range of修饰后面的名词 句意为很多可以选择的 所以是复数
2、 A broad range of issues was discussed.
3、 If a group or range of things is diverse, it is made up of a wide of variety of things.
range是主语之一  单数
4、 A fairly narrow range of people are responsible for key decisions.
同句一 a fairly narrow range of为修饰 句意为很少一部分人 复数