16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsMediumPresent perfect for a state continuing to now

Standard English Conventions practice question

Marta ____ in the village for ten years and knows everyone in it.

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

  1. A. has livedCorrect
  2. B. lives
  3. C. lived
  4. D. is living

Answer: A. has lived

'for ten years' together with a present-tense 'knows' describes a state that began in the past and continues now: the present perfect 'has lived'.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. lives
'lives ... for ten years' is not standard; a duration up to now takes the present perfect.
C. lived
'lived' would suggest she no longer lives there, which clashes with 'knows everyone'.
D. is living
'is living ... for ten years' is not standard with a completed duration.

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