Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word.
The baby is crying. I think she has been ____ by the noise.

• A. afraid
• B. frightened
• C. frighten
• D. frightening

Answer 1

The correct option is B frightened

In the given sentence, 'has been' indicates that the tense of the sentence is present perfect. Also, it is an auxiliary and thus, must be followed by a verb. Thus, the answer must be a verb and must be in its past participle form to justify the tense.

Option A is incorrect. 'afraid' is an adjective and not a verb. Thus, it cannot follow an auxiliary and is incorrect.

Option B is correct. 'frightened' is a verb in the past participle form. Thus, it meets the required conditions and is correct.

Option C is incorrect. 'frighten' is a verb but, it is not in its past participle form and so it is incorrect.

Option D is incorrect. 'frightening' is a verb in the present participle form and not past participle. Thus, it is incorrect.