Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option:
Rarely _________ such as overwhelming consensus among critics.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is option 1 i.e. has there been.
Context: The sentence highlights a very uncommon situation where critics reached an "overwhelming consensus" (complete agreement).
Grammatical concept: This is a case of Inversion. When a sentence begins with a negative or restrictive adverb such as Rarely, Seldom, or Never, the helping verb (auxiliary) must come before the subject.
Analysis of the given options:
there has been: This follows the normal subject-verb order, which is incorrect after the restrictive adverb "Rarely."
has there been: This correctly uses the inverted structure (Helping Verb + Subject) required for this sentence.
was there / had been: These do not fit the context of a general observation about a state that has occurred up to the present.
Correct word/ phrase: has there been
Reason: The use of "Rarely" at the start of the sentence forces the helping verb "has" to move in front of the subject "there" to maintain grammatical emphasis.
Final sentence: Rarely has there been such as overwhelming consensus among critics.
Hence, the chosen option is correct.