Multiple choice

Directions: In the following sentence, three substitutions are given for each italicised part. If one of them is better than the italicised part, that should be your answer. If none of the substitution improves the sentence, the answer should be (4).

If it were possible to get near when one of the volcanic eruptions took place, we should see a grand sight.

  1. takes

  2. was taking

  3. is taking

  4. No improvement
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The sentence uses 'If it were possible' (past subjunctive for hypothetical), so we need the past continuous form 'was taking' to match the hypothetical timeframe. 'Takes' is present simple, 'is taking' is present continuous - both don't match the hypothetical past context of the sentence.

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