'simple past passive' vs. 'present perfect passive'

[JJ]

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #118 "Passive Tense Forms", question 1

The castle ......... built in the 15th century.

(a) was
(b) is
(c) has been
(d) will be

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #118 "Passive Tense Forms", answer 1

The castle was built in the 15th century.

Correct answer: (a) was

Your answer was: incorrect
The castle has been built in the 15th century.
_________________________

Hi,

Can you explain why not use "has been"

JJ

[Mister Micawber]

.
The building is well in the past, over and done with. A simple statement of a completed event.
.
_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mr. Micawber

[Yankee]

Hi JJ

You need the past tense to talk about the finished past.

Was built is the passive form of the simple past tense and the finished time is clearly stated in the sentence (in the 15th century).

Has been built is the passive form of the present perfect tense and the present perfect is not appropriate because the sentence mentions a specific time in the finished past.

Amy