Choosing Language for Context and Purpose — Unit test
Question 20 • FL-1001370-English 3 A
Read the paragraph.My brother and I pulled into the driveway. I peered up and thought it was suspicious that every shade in the house was drawn. The house had been unusually dark for early evening. As my brother unlocked the front door, I heard some hushed whispers. Suddenly, about ten of my friends and my parents jumped out and yelled, “Surprise!” Which is the best replacement for the underlined sentence?
Answer
A
The house was unusually dark for early evening.
B
The house will be unusually dark for early evening.
C
The house has been unusually dark for early evening.
D
The house was being unusually dark for early evening.
Explanation
The paragraph describes events that happened in the past, so the sentence should use the simple past tense: “The house was unusually dark for early evening.” “Will be” refers to the future, and “has been” connects the darkness to the present. “Was being unusually dark” is awkward because “being” does not fit this description of the house’s condition.
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