Standard English ConventionsVery hardPast perfect for an event before another past event
Standard English Conventions practice question
By the time the fire brigade arrived, the barn ____ to the ground.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
- A. had burnedCorrect
- B. has burned
- C. burned
- D. burns
Answer: A. had burned
The burning was complete before the past arrival: past perfect.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. has burned
- Present perfect does not fit "by the time … arrived".
- C. burned
- Simple past loses the sequence.
- D. burns
- Present.
More Standard English Conventions questions
- Very hard
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The committee rec… - Very hard
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? - Very hard
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? - Very hard
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? - Very hard
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? - Very hard
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
Not affiliated with the College Board. SAT is a trademark of the College Board.