16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsHardConsistent tense with a narrative in the past

Standard English Conventions practice question

The climbers reached the ridge at dawn, checked their ropes, and ____ the final ascent before the wind rose.

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

  1. A. beganCorrect
  2. B. begin
  3. C. have begun
  4. D. beginning

Answer: A. began

The series 'reached, checked, and began' stays in the simple past.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. begin
'Begin' shifts to the present.
C. have begun
'Have begun' shifts to the present perfect.
D. beginning
'Beginning' is not a finite verb.

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