Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option:
It is almost a year since Kavya ______ her college in Bengaluru, but she still video-calls her school friends every Sunday.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → joined
Simple past in the “since” part:
- When “since” begins a part with its own verb, that verb names the point in the past when something began.
- So it takes the simple past.
- Clue word: “since” after “It is almost a year”.
- Complete sentence: It is almost a year since Kavya joined her college in Bengaluru, but she still video-calls her school friends every Sunday.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 2: has joined — Incorrect.
- “Has joined” is the present perfect: has / have + past participle (V3).
- It joins a past action with now, but the “since” part must name one past starting point.
- Example: Kavya has joined the college choir.
Option 3: had joined — Incorrect.
- “Had joined” is the past perfect: had + V3.
- It shows the earlier of two past actions, but the main part here is in the present.
- Example: Kavya had joined the hostel before her brother came to visit.
Option 4: was joining — Incorrect.
- “Was joining” is the past continuous.
- It shows an action going on at a past moment, not a point when something began.
- Example: Kavya was packing her bags when her father called.