Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option:
When Aarav reached Platform 4, the Shatabdi ______ out, so he had to wait for the next train.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → had pulled
Past perfect tense:
- Its form is had + past participle (V3).
- It shows the earlier of two past actions.
- Clue word: “When Aarav reached” is in the simple past, and the train left before that, so the leaving takes the past perfect.
- Complete sentence: When Aarav reached Platform 4, the Shatabdi had pulled out, so he had to wait for the next train.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: pulls — Incorrect.
- “Pulls” is the simple present.
- It shows a habit or fact now, not an action in a past story.
- Example: The ox pulls the cart to the market every day.
Option 2: is pulling — Incorrect.
- “Is pulling” is the present continuous.
- It shows an action going on now, not before a past action.
- Example: Look, the boat is pulling away from the ghat.
Option 3: has pulled — Incorrect.
- “Has pulled” is the present perfect: has / have + V3.
- It links the past to now, so it cannot go with the past action “reached”.
- Example: The dentist has pulled out my loose tooth.