Question

Given below is a newspaper headline. Choose the option which explains the headline:
Dr. APJ Kalam Awarded Bharat Ratna

• A. Bharat Ratna was awarded to Dr. APJ Kalam.
• B. Dr. APJ Kalam awards the Bharat Ratna.
• C. Both A and B.
• D. None of the above.

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Bharat Ratna was awarded to Dr. APJ Kalam.

In newspaper headlines, the auxiliary verbs (helping verbs) are generally omitted, because headlines are designed to be short, in order to attract attention. Hence the English rules used will be slightly different than the normal spoken language.
In the given newspaper headline, the helping verb has been omitted.
Option A explains the headline by introducing the helping verb 'was'. Hence A is the correct option.
Option B: This has changed the meaning of the headline. Also, the tense is changed from past to present. Headlines do not mention present events, they can only mention events that have taken place in the past. Hence B is incorrect.
Option C is incorrect because B is not the correct option. It has changed the meaning of the headline.
Option D is incorrect because the answer lies in A.