In this passage about state leaders, choose the correct verb phrase: “State leaders ___________________ great willingness to play into the hands of the Central government.”

Introduction / Context:
This blank is part of a formal passage discussing the behaviour of state leaders in relation to the Central government. The correct answer must fit both grammatically and stylistically with the surrounding text. It should also match the tense used across the passage, which typically narrates events or trends that have been observed over a period of time.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Sentence fragment: State leaders ___________________ great willingness to play into the hands of the Central government, presumably for a price.
• Options: is showing, have shown, to show, have showed.
• The subject is plural (State leaders), and the passage describes a completed or ongoing pattern of behaviour.

Concept / Approach:
In formal English, when describing actions that have happened over a recent period and are relevant to the present situation, we commonly use the present perfect tense have shown for plural subjects. The phrase have shown great willingness is standard and fits the context of observed political behaviour. We must also ensure correct subject–verb agreement and verb form in the perfect tense.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the subject: State leaders, which is plural. Step 2: Consider the meaning. The passage suggests that leaders have already demonstrated willingness over time, not that they are just starting now. Step 3: Test have shown. This is present perfect, plural, and gives: State leaders have shown great willingness to play into the hands of the Central government. This is grammatical and natural. Step 4: Test is showing. This uses singular is and present continuous, which is wrong because the subject is plural and the tone of the passage is more general and reflective, not immediate. Step 5: Test to show. This infinitive form would require restructuring the sentence and does not fit directly into the blank. Step 6: Test have showed. In standard English, the past participle of show is shown, not showed, so this option is grammatically incorrect in formal writing.
Verification / Alternative check:
Read the full sentence with have shown: The answer to the third question is easily answered; State leaders have shown great willingness to play into the hands of the Central government, presumably for a price. This flows smoothly and accurately describes a pattern of behaviour up to the present. It also agrees with the earlier present perfect references in the passage, if any, which is typical for analytical commentary. This confirms have shown as the correct choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• is showing: Uses singular is for plural leaders and suggests an ongoing action right now, which clashes with the more general tone.
• to show: Does not fit grammatically, as the sentence would become unbalanced and would need additional words like tend to show.
• have showed: Uses an incorrect past participle in formal English; have shown is the accepted standard.

Common Pitfalls:
Students often struggle with the difference between present perfect and present continuous, and they may also be unsure about irregular past participles. Many verbs like show, write, and break have distinct past participles (shown, written, broken). It is important to memorise these forms because exams frequently test them. Another pitfall is ignoring subject–verb agreement; always check whether the subject is singular or plural before choosing is or are forms.

Final Answer:
The correct phrase is have shown, giving State leaders have shown great willingness to play into the hands of the Central government.