Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word:

The reinforcement was sent because the enemy was ________ fast.

• A. Advanced
• B. Advance
• C. Advancing
• D. Advancement

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Advancing

The most appropriate word must be a verb form, as it describes a continuous action 'was ...' that happened in the past 'was sent'.
Option C: 'Advancing' is a present participle that forms a past continuous tense 'was advancing'. It refers to a continuous action that happened in the past. Hence it agrees here and option C is correct.
Option A: 'Advanced' is a past participle and forms a verb form 'was advanced' in the passive voice. In passive voice, the subject receives the action.
But here, the subject 'the enemy' performs the action ('was advancing' - active voice). (The passive voice form 'was advanced' does not describe an action.)
Hence option A is incorrect.
Option B: 'Advance' is an adjective and means 'forward'. It does not describe any action.
Option D: 'Advancement' is a noun that means 'promotion'. This word, too, does not complete the sentence.
Hence options B and D are incorrect.