The correct option for the sentence "The old car .... several times this year" is
B. has been repaired. Let's break down why this is the best choice and analyze the other options.
Explanation of the Correct Answer (B. has been repaired)
- Understanding the Present Perfect Tense:
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The phrase "has been repaired" is in the present perfect tense. This tense is used to describe actions that occurred at an unspecified time in the past and are relevant to the present. In this case, the repairs of the car are relevant because they have happened within the current year, which is still ongoing.
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Context of the Sentence:
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The phrase "this year" indicates that we are talking about a time frame that is still current. The present perfect tense is appropriate here because it connects past actions (the repairs) to the present situation (the car's current state).
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Passive Voice:
- The structure "has been repaired" is in the passive voice, which is suitable when the focus is on the action done to the subject (the car) rather than who performed the action. This is appropriate since the sentence does not specify who repaired the car.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. was repaired
- This option uses the simple past tense, which indicates that the action of repairing the car happened at a specific time in the past. Since the sentence refers to repairs that have occurred "several times this year," this option does not convey the ongoing relevance of those repairs to the present.
C. had been repaired
- This option uses the past perfect tense, which is used to describe an action that was completed before another action in the past. Since there is no other past action mentioned in the sentence, this tense is inappropriate. The focus is on the repairs that have happened in the current year, not on a sequence of past events.
D. has repaired
- This option incorrectly uses the present perfect tense in an active voice, suggesting that the car itself has performed the action of repairing. This is not logical, as cars do not repair themselves. The sentence needs to indicate that the car has undergone repairs, not that it has done the repairing.
Summary of Key Points
- The correct answer is B. has been repaired because it uses the present perfect tense to indicate ongoing relevance to the current year.
- The passive voice is appropriate here, focusing on the car rather than the doer of the action.
- The other options either use incorrect tenses or imply illogical actions.
Revision Summary
- Present Perfect Tense: Used for actions relevant to the present; formed with "has/have" + past participle.
- Passive Voice: Focuses on the action done to the subject; appropriate when the doer is not specified.
- Context Matters: Pay attention to time indicators like "this year" to choose the correct tense.
- Logical Consistency: Ensure that the subject of the sentence can logically perform the action described.