Question

Fill in the blank with the correct passive verb for [4]:

• A. were untouched
• B. have been untouched
• C. was untouched
• D. being untouched

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

was untouched

A sentence is in active voice when the subject is the doer of the action.
A sentence is in passive voice when the new subject (object in active voice) is the receiver of that action.
The given sentence: "But, the unfeeling heart of Mr. Scrooge..." requires a verb in passive voice form.
Option C: 'Was untouched' is in simple past tense (passive voice). It's the most suitable option, as the subject "the unfeeling heart of Mr. Scrooge" receives the action "was untouched". Hence C is correct.
Option A: 'Were untouched' is also in the simple past tense, but 'were' is a plural verb whereas the subject is singular (heart of Mr. Scrooge). Hence option A is incorrect.
Option B: 'Have been untouched' is in the present perfect tense whereas the passage narrates past actions. Also, 'have' is a plural verb. Hence B is incorrect.
Option D: 'Being' is a participle, it does not function as a verb. Hence it does not determine the tense of the sentence (as 'is/are/am being' does). So, option D is incorrect.