The correct option to fill the gap in the sentence "The prefect came to the class five minutes after the lesson ...." is
B. had started.
Step-by-Step Explanation:
- Understanding the Context:
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The sentence describes a sequence of events. The prefect arrived after the lesson had already begun. This indicates that the lesson started before the prefect's arrival.
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Identifying the Tense:
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The phrase "five minutes after" suggests that we are talking about a past event. The use of "after" indicates that one event (the lesson starting) occurred before another event (the prefect arriving).
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Choosing the Correct Tense:
- Option A: has started - This is the present perfect tense. It implies that the lesson started at some point in the past and is still relevant to the present. However, since the prefect's arrival is a past event, this option does not fit.
- Option B: had started - This is the past perfect tense. It is used to indicate that one action (the lesson starting) was completed before another action (the prefect arriving) took place. This is the correct choice because it clearly shows the sequence of events.
- Option C: have started - This is the present perfect tense, similar to option A. It is incorrect in this context because it does not convey the past sequence of events.
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Option D: is started - This is the present simple passive voice. It does not fit the context of the sentence, as it suggests an ongoing action rather than a completed one in the past.
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Why Other Options Are Incorrect:
- Option A (has started): Incorrect because it does not indicate that the lesson was completed before the prefect arrived. It suggests a connection to the present, which is not the case here.
- Option C (have started): Incorrect for the same reason as option A; it does not fit the past context of the sentence.
- Option D (is started): Incorrect because it implies an ongoing action rather than a completed action in the past. It does not convey the intended meaning of the sentence.
Summary:
- The correct answer is B. had started because it accurately reflects the sequence of past events.
- The past perfect tense is used to show that one action was completed before another action took place.
- The other options either suggest a present relevance or an ongoing action, which do not fit the context of the sentence.
Revision Summary:
- Use the past perfect tense ("had started") to indicate an action completed before another past action.
- The present perfect tense ("has started" and "have started") is used for actions relevant to the present, not suitable here.
- The present simple passive ("is started") indicates an ongoing action, which is incorrect in this context.
- Always consider the sequence of events when choosing verb tenses in sentences.