Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word.
Fifty million years ago there ________ no people.

• A. were
• B. was
• C. are
• D. weren't

Answer 1

The correct option is A were

In this sentence we would be understanding the agreement of verb with subject. One of the rules state that when the noun is in the plural form, the verb also becomes in the plural form. Similarly in this sentence, since the noun is in the plural form, the verb also becomes in the plural form. Moreover, this particular sentence is in the past tense thus the verb should be plural and in past tense.

"were" is plural verb in the past tense.

"was" is a singular verb in the past tense

"are" is a plural verb in the present tense

"weren't" is a plural verb again but from the negative point of view.

Option A is correct.