Choose the correct verb form to fill in the blank:
Do not break the seal on your question paper till the invigilator ______ you to.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → tells
Future in a “till” part:
- A time part that begins with “till” takes the simple present for a future action.
- Clue word: “Do not break the seal ... till” shows that the invigilator’s word is still to come.
- Complete sentence: Do not break the seal on your question paper till the invigilator tells you to.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: will tell — Incorrect.
- “Will tell” is the simple future.
- A part with “till” does not take “will” for a future action.
- Example: The teacher will tell us the result on Monday.
Option 3: told — Incorrect.
- “Told” is the simple past.
- It shows a finished past action, but the instruction is still to come.
- Example: The invigilator told us to switch off our phones.
Option 4: has been telling — Incorrect.
- “Has been telling” is the present perfect continuous: has been + V-ing.
- It shows an action going on from the past up to now, not a future action.
- Example: Nani has been telling us stories since dinner.