Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: An anti-extortion cell is opened
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This error-spotting item checks proper tense selection for past-time references and awareness of collocations in formal administrative English. The phrase ‘‘six months ago’’ fixes the time in the past and therefore requires a past tense in the main clause.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
When a finished action is anchored by a past-time adverbial like ‘‘ago,’’ we use simple past. In passive voice, the form is ‘‘was/were + past participle.’’ Using present passive with ‘‘ago’’ is ungrammatical. Also, ‘‘police headquarters’’ is a noun that often remains invariant in number; however, the key tested error is tense in A.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify the time marker: ‘‘six months ago’’ = past, completed.Match tense: present passive ‘‘is opened’’ → incorrect with ‘‘ago’’.Correct form: ‘‘was opened’’ (simple past passive).Acceptable recast: ‘‘An anti-extortion cell was opened by the district police headquarters six months ago as a precautionary measure.’’
Verification / Alternative check:
Try replacing ‘‘ago’’ with ‘‘today’’ or ‘‘now’’; only then would ‘‘is opened’’ make sense. With ‘‘ago,’’ native usage strongly favors ‘‘was opened.’’
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Common Pitfalls:
Ignoring adverbials like ‘‘ago’’ and choosing present forms in passive constructions; over-focusing on nouns and missing the core tense error.
Final Answer:
An anti-extortion cell is opened
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