Simple Past and Present Perfect

[Johncheung860]

There is a question in my test as stated below :-

1. ______ Paul and Mary ______ (get) the highest mark in the examination ?

My teacher suggested that the answer should be

"Have Paul and Mary got the highest mark in the examination ? " (1)

To me, this is a present perfect.

However, my interpretation is that 'in the examination' means a particular examination that the listeners know what exam it is and this particular exam is past. Therefore, the reply to this question should "yes, they did." or "No, they didn't".

Therefore, I believe the sentence should be

'Did Paul and Mary get the highest mark in the examination ?' (2)

Please help me to understand the present perfect or the simple past, and their differences. Please explain which sentence is correct (1 or 2).

Thanks.

[Mister Micawber]

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Either would work here. Present perfect might be more usual if the tests have just been graded.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's