16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsEasy–MediumCorrect past participle

Standard English Conventions practice question

By the time the guests arrived, the ice sculpture had already ____ into a shapeless lump.

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

  1. A. meltedCorrect
  2. B. melt
  3. C. melting
  4. D. melts

Answer: A. melted

After 'had', the past participle is needed: 'had melted'.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. melt
'Had melt' is not standard.
C. melting
'Had melting' is not standard.
D. melts
'Had melts' is not standard.

More Standard English Conventions questions

Not affiliated with the College Board. SAT is a trademark of the College Board.