Why not "since you've been here"?

[Greta D.]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #207 "What Comes Next? (1)", question 3

It must be at least a year since ..........

(a) you are here
(b) you will be here
(c) you were here
(d) you had been here

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #207 "What Comes Next? (1)", answer 3

It must be at least a year since you were here.

Correct answer: (c) you were here

Your answer was: correct
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Hi,

Why not "since you've been here"?

Thanks,
Greta

[Alan]

Hi Greta,

Since you have been there is not one of the choices. The reason why you were is correct here is because the sentence means: It is one year since that time when you were here.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story In Order

[Yankee]

Hi Greta

Since you have been here could be used to talk about an on-going presence up to now.

"Since you've been here, I've been a lot happier. I hope you never leave."

By using were in the test sentence, the reference is to a visit that ended in the past (at least a year ago).

Amy

EDIT:
Oops. Sorry, I see Alan has already answered.