Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option:
At nine last night, when the power cut began, Grandpa ______ his shoes on the verandah, so he finished the job by torchlight.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → was polishing
Past continuous tense:
- Its form is was / were + V-ing.
- It shows an action that was going on at a certain moment in the past.
- Clue word: “At nine last night, when the power cut began” names the moment, and “finished the job by torchlight” shows the polishing was not yet over then.
- Complete sentence: At nine last night, when the power cut began, Grandpa was polishing his shoes on the verandah, so he finished the job by torchlight.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: polished — Incorrect.
- “Polished” is the simple past.
- It shows a whole, finished action, not one in the middle of happening.
- Example: She locked the door and left.
Option 2: has polished — Incorrect.
- “Has polished” is the present perfect.
- It does not go with a finished past time like “last night”.
- Example: Ravi has bought a new bat.
Option 3: had polished — Incorrect.
- “Had polished” is the past perfect.
- It shows an action already over before the power cut, but he finished it later.
- Example: The rain had stopped before we went out.