In this sentence improvement item, choose the best replacement for the bracketed verb "(became)" in the sentence about how the idea of the impossible is relevant for an individual who doubts certain accomplishments.

Introduction / Context:
This question checks your understanding of verb tense consistency in general statements about human behaviour. The sentence talks about an abstract idea, the idea of the impossible, and explains how it is relevant when we consider an individual who might think some achievements are impossible. Because the sentence expresses a general truth and not a one time past event, the verb in brackets must match the overall present time frame of the statement.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The sentence describes a general concept, not a specific moment in history.
• The clause after the bracket uses present tense: "when we come to the individual".
• The bracketed verb is "became".
• Options include "becoming", "becomes", "was became", and "No improvement".

Concept / Approach:
General truths and ongoing realities are usually expressed in the simple present tense. The sentence describes how the idea of the impossible relates to individuals in general, and the clause "when we come to the individual" clearly uses simple present. To keep the tense consistent, the verb that links the idea and its relevance should also be simple present, namely "becomes". The past form "became" would be appropriate only if the entire description were placed in a specific past context, which is not the case here.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the time frame of the main sentence; note the phrase "when we come to the individual". Step 2: Recognise that this clause talks about any individual and therefore expresses a general truth. Step 3: Choose the present tense form "becomes" to match this general time frame. Step 4: Replace "became" with "becomes" so the idea of the impossible becomes more relevant. Step 5: Read the full sentence to check for smooth and logical tense consistency.

Verification / Alternative check:
Read the corrected sentence: "This idea of the impossible becomes even more relevant when we come to the individual, who might consider certain accomplishments impossible without realising that with persistent effort and determination they could be achieved." All main verbs that express general truths are now in simple present: "becomes", "come", "might consider", "could be achieved" expresses possibility. If you use "became" instead, you would create a confusing mix of past and present, which is not stylistically or grammatically ideal for exam English.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
"Becoming" would need a different structure, such as "This idea of the impossible is becoming more relevant", which is not given.

"Was became" is grammatically incorrect because it combines an auxiliary with a past form in a way that does not exist in standard English.

"No improvement" would keep "became" and leave the tense inconsistent with the present time reference in the rest of the sentence.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes think that any formal sentence sounds better in past tense, even when the topic is a general principle. A useful habit is to check for adverbs or clauses that indicate time, such as "now", "today", or present time verbs like "come". When these markers suggest an ongoing truth, simple present forms like "is" or "becomes" are usually correct. Always align the bracketed verb with the main time frame of the sentence.

Final Answer:
The correct improvement is "becomes", making the sentence tense consistent for a general truth.