Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select ‘No substitution’.
While I was teaching the elder one, the younger one take an opportunity and ran away.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The correct answer is option 2 i.e. the younger one took an opportunity and ran away.
Error concept: Wrong verb tense usage.
What is wrong: The verb “take” is in present tense, but the sentence context is in past tense (indicated by “was teaching” and “ran away”).
Grammatical concept:
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In past tense narration, all verbs must agree in past form.
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“Take” (present) → “took” (past).
Incorrectness of the concept in context: Using “take” in past context breaks verb tense consistency.
How to correct: Replace “take” with “took.”
Correct phrase/ correction: the younger one took an opportunity and ran away
Final sentence: While I was teaching the elder one, the younger one took an opportunity and ran away.
Hence, the chosen option is correct.