Choosing verb tense from context clues (SAT)

Question 1

Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? In her 2015 study, the biologist argued that bees could learn to recognise human faces.

• A. correct
• B. incorrect

Question 2

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? By 2030, the city ___ all of its buses with electric models.

• A. replaces
• B. had replaced
• C. will have replaced
• D. replaced

Question 3

Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? In 1928, Alexander Fleming noticed that mould had killed bacteria in a dish. He later named the substance penicillin.

• A. correct
• B. incorrect

Question 4

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? In her 2015 study, the biologist argued that bees ___ to recognise human faces.

• A. learning
• B. could learn
• C. will had learned
• D. can learned

Question 5

Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? In her 2015 study, the biologist argued that bees could learn to recognise human faces.

• A. correct
• B. incorrect

Question 6

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? By the time the expedition reached the summit, two climbers ___ back because of the cold.

• A. will turn
• B. had turned
• C. turn
• D. have turned

Question 7

Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? In 1928, Alexander Fleming noticed that mould had killed bacteria in a dish. He later named the substance penicillin.

• A. correct
• B. incorrect

Question 8

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Before the bridge was built in 1932, ferries ___ the only way across the bay.

• A. are
• B. have been
• C. will be
• D. had been

Question 9

Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? Since the 1990s, average temperatures in the region have risen steadily.

• A. correct
• B. incorrect

Question 10

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Since the 1990s, average temperatures in the region ___ steadily.

• A. rise
• B. rose
• C. have risen
• D. will rise

Question 11

Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? Currently, researchers will have investigated whether the coral can survive warmer seas.

• A. correct
• B. incorrect

Question 12

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The new telescope, which launches next year, ___ astronomers to study planets around distant stars.

• A. allows having
• B. will allow
• C. had allowed
• D. allowed

Question 13

Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? The new telescope, which launches next year, will allow astronomers to study planets around distant stars.

• A. correct
• B. incorrect

Question 14

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? In 1928, Alexander Fleming noticed that mould had killed bacteria in a dish. He later ___ the substance penicillin.

• A. names
• B. will name
• C. has named
• D. named

Question 15

Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? Currently, researchers are investigating whether the coral can survive warmer seas.

• A. correct
• B. incorrect

Question 16

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? By 2030, the city ___ all of its buses with electric models.

• A. replaces
• B. replaced
• C. will have replaced
• D. had replaced