Robert and Kevin fought at school today. I don't know why...

[Jumbo]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #258 "Irregular Verbs Test (6)", question 7

Robert and Kevin ......... at school today. I don't know why. They usually get along so well.

(a) fight
(b) fought
(c) fighting

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #258 "Irregular Verbs Test (6)", answer 7

Robert and Kevin fought at school today. I don't know why. They usually get along so well.

Correct answer: (b) fought
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this item is quite difficult

Jumbo

[Mister Micawber]

If it were easy, you would learn nothing.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Pasban110]

Hi,
Would you mind to explain: Why 'Robert and Kevin fight at school today' is wrong?

-Salivan

[Mister Micawber]

Because the simple present tense of the action verb 'fight' can only mean the timeless present (i.e. present, past and future, as in 'the sun rises in the east')-- but this meaning is made impossible by the word 'today'-- or it can mean a scheduled future event (e.g. 'The train leaves at 8 pm')-- but children's school fights are not scheduled.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Grasi02]

"They fought today"
it was the same day but it happened in the past. The fight was already finished, right?

similar to:
I worked today.
I was busy today.
:)

[Mister Micawber]

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