16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsVery hardPassive past in a relative clause

Standard English Conventions practice question

The letter, which ____ in 1912, was not opened until 1980.

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

  1. A. was writtenCorrect
  2. B. is written
  3. C. has been written
  4. D. wrote

Answer: A. was written

The letter was written at a past time: simple past passive.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. is written
Present.
C. has been written
Present perfect does not fit a dated past event.
D. wrote
A letter does not write.

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