'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.
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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.
.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[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
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln