'Soccer has been now' vs 'Soccer is now'

[fatmah]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #46 "Elementary English Grammar", question 10

Soccer ......... now a popular sport in most countries.

(a) was
(b) has been
(c) am
(d) is

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #46 "Elementary English Grammar", answer 10

Soccer is now a popular sport in most countries.

Correct answer: (d) is

Your answer was: incorrect
Soccer has been now a popular sport in most countries.
_________________________

i dont undrstant this question ansver

fatmah

[Mister Micawber]

.
The sentence requires the present tense for a present situation (indicated by 'now' in the sentence).
.
_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mr. Micawber

[Nola]

Using is in such a sentence refers to the fact of being soccer a popular sport in most countries. So we used is here as a present simple for facts or habits.