Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option:
She said that her interest in research began when she ___________ a discrepancy in the English translation of a Kumaoni folk song.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → discovered
Simple past for a completed past event:
- The simple past (V2) shows an action that happened and was completed at a definite time in the past.
- In a "when" clause about a single past event, the verb of both clauses is usually in the simple past.
- Clue word: "began". This sentence: her interest began when she discovered the discrepancy. The discovery was a single past event that started her interest.
- Complete sentence: She said that her interest in research began when she discovered a discrepancy in the English translation of a Kumaoni folk song.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: discover — Incorrect. Discover is the base form (present tense). It does not agree with the past verb "began".
Example: Scientists discover new species every year.
Option 3: was discovering — Incorrect. Was discovering is the past continuous, used for an action in progress at a past moment. A discovery that sparked her interest happened at one point.
Example: She was reading a novel when the lights went out.
Option 4: had been discovering — Incorrect. Had been discovering is the past perfect continuous, used for an action that went on up to an earlier past moment. It does not suit a single event that began something.
Example: He had been waiting for an hour when the bus arrived.
Contrast: a single completed past event takes the simple past (discovered). An action in progress at a past moment takes the past continuous (was discovering).