Vocabulary 4000 - Noel's ESL eBook Library

156 Vocabulary 4000
Choice (B) merely rearranges the wording while retaining the
simple past were.
Choice (C) is the correct answer because it uses the past perfect
had been to indicate that the homes were completely built before
they were destroyed by the fires.
Choice (D) is incorrect because it uses the present perfect have
been, which implies that the homes were destroyed before being
built.
Choice (E) is incorrect. Although dropping the phrase that
were makes the sentence more concise, the past progressive were
being implies that the homes were destroyed while being built.
3. Although World War II ended nearly a half century ago, Russia and Japan
still have not signed a formal peace treaty; and both countries have been
reticent to develop closer relations.
(A) have not signed a formal peace treaty; and both countries have been
(B) did not signed a formal peace treaty; and both countries have been
(C) have not signed a formal peace treaty; and both countries being
(D) have not signed a formal peace treaty; and both countries are
(E) are not signing a formal peace treaty; and both countries have been
The sentence is grammatical as written. The present perfect verb
have … signed correctly indicates that they have not signed a peace
treaty and are not on the verge of signing one. Further, the present
perfect verb have been correctly indicates that in the past both
countries have been reluctant to develop closer relations and are still
reluctant. The answer is (A).
In choice (B), the simple past did does not capture the fact that
they did not sign a peace treaty immediately after the war and still
have not signed one.
Choice (C) is very awkward, and the present progressive being
does not capture the fact that the countries have been reluctant to
thaw relations since after the war up through the present.
In choice (D), the present tense are leaves open the possibility
that in the past the countries may have desired closer relations but
now no longer do.
In choice (E), the present progressive tense are … signing, as in
choice (D), leaves open the possibility that in the past the countries
may have desired closer relations but now no longer do.