Question

Fill in the blank for [13]:

• A. lie
• B. lied
• C. lies
• D. lay

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

lies

The sentence "We...tomorrow, not tonight, when the white whale ...down there,..." contains a main clause and dependent clause. The former is the main clause that refers to a future event (tomorrow) and the latter is a time clause as it begins with 'when'. In such a sentence, when the main clause is in future tense, the dependent clause (time) is in simple present tense.
Hence the verb 'lie' is conjugated in the simple present form.
Option C: 'Lies' is in the simple present form, it's in third person narrative. The subject 'white whale' is in third person that performs the action. Hence C is the correct option.
Option A: 'Lie' is used in the first and second person narratives, hence it isn't a suitable option here.
Option B: 'Lied' is in the past tense whereas the action has not completed yet.
Option D: The verb 'lay' needs an object 'lay the book on the table' whereas 'lies' does not need an object. The given sentence does not contain an object after the verb. Hence D is incorrect.