Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option:
Shreya ______ the novel twice before its film version came out last month.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → had read
Past perfect tense:
- Its form is had + past participle (V3).
- It shows the earlier of two past actions.
- Clue word: “before its film version came out last month”.
- The reading was over before another past action, the film coming out.
- Complete sentence: Shreya had read the novel twice before its film version came out last month.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: reads — Incorrect.
- “Reads” is the simple present.
- It shows a habit now, but the sentence is about the past.
- Example: Shreya reads a chapter every night.
Option 2: was reading — Incorrect.
- “Was reading” is the past continuous.
- It shows one action in progress, so it does not go with “twice”, which counts finished readings.
- Example: She was reading on the balcony when it began to rain.
Option 4: has read — Incorrect.
- “Has read” is the present perfect.
- It joins a past action to now, not to an earlier time in the past.
- Example: Shreya has read every book in this series.