16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsHardConsistent tense in a narrative

Standard English Conventions practice question

The lighthouse keeper climbed the stairs, trimmed the wick, and ____ the lamp before the last of the daylight went.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. litCorrect
  2. B. lights
  3. C. lighting
  4. D. will light

Answer: A. lit

'Climbed' and 'trimmed' set the past tense.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. lights
Present.
C. lighting
Not a finite verb.
D. will light
Future.

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