Question

____5____ (take) to maintain peace and order in the district. A portion of the book contained allegedly derogatory remarks against Guru Gobind Singh.

• A. was taken
• B. has been taken
• C. was being taken
• D. will be taken

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

was taken

Here, 'was taken' in simple past tense is correct because it indicates an action that has already been completed. Here, step (in the past) was taken to maintain peace and order in the district.
'Has been taken' in present perfect continuous tense is incorrect because it is used to indicate an action that started at some point in the past and may or may not be complete.
'Will be taken' in future continuous tense is incorrect because it indicates what will be going on in the near future.
'Was being taken' in present continuous is incorrect because it implies an action going on at the time of speaking.