he hadn't said a word

[Kati Svaby]

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #115 "Tense Agreement", question 10

It ......... a great shock to everyone because he hadn't said a word for 10 years.

(a) is
(b) will be
(c) was
(d) are

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #115 "Tense Agreement", answer 10

It was a great shock to everyone because he hadn't said a word for 10 years.

Correct answer: (c) was
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It was a great shock = this is the starting point of the sentence;
he hadn't said a word for 10 years =It happened before the starting point ;before this time so we use past perfect.
Past perfect: had+past participle of the verb
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We always deceive ourselves twice about the people we love - first to their advantage, then to their disadvantage.