Flight was delayed vs. flight had delayed

[Kelmy]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #95 "auxiliary verbs: was, did, have", question 1

The flight ......... delayed because of bad weather.

(a) was
(b) were
(c) did
(d) had

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #95 "auxiliary verbs: was, did, have", answer 1

The flight was delayed because of bad weather.

Correct answer: (a) was

Your answer was: correct
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why is it past tense?

Kelmy

[Mister Micawber]

.
It is past passive: the flight was delayed [by bad weather][yesterday]. Had delayed does not work here, because flight is the subject; a passive construction is required.
.
_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mister Micawber