Error Spotting (Grammar) — choose the part that contains a grammatical error. If the sentence is correct, choose ‘‘No error.’’ Complete sentence: I was being astonished when I heard that he had left the country without informing anyone of us.

Introduction / Context:This question tests correct aspect usage with stative verbs and participial adjectives. Emotions and sudden reactions like ‘‘astonished’’ are not used in progressive aspect when describing a past reaction.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Reaction time anchor: ‘‘when I heard …’’
• Predicate used: ‘‘was being astonished’’ (progressive passive with a stative meaning).
• Standard written English conventions apply.

Concept / Approach:Stative verbs or adjective-like participles (astonished, pleased, afraid) normally take simple forms, not progressive. Use ‘‘I was astonished’’ rather than ‘‘I was being astonished.’’

Step-by-Step Solution:Locate the nonstandard aspect: ‘‘was being astonished.’’Replace with simple past of the copula + adjective: ‘‘was astonished.’’Revised sentence: ‘‘I was astonished when I heard that he had left the country without informing any of us.’’

Verification / Alternative check:Compare with other emotion words: ‘‘I was surprised/shocked/pleased’’ (not ‘‘was being surprised’’) — confirms the fix.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• ‘‘when I heard that’’ — correct subclause marker.
• ‘‘he had left the country’’ — correct past perfect for an action earlier than ‘‘heard.’’
• ‘‘without informing anyone of us’’ — better as ‘‘any of us,’’ but the core grammatical error is in part A.

Common Pitfalls:Overusing progressive aspect with stative meanings; misusing ‘‘anyone of us’’ instead of ‘‘any of us’’.

Final Answer:I was being astonished