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Question

Difficulty: MediumVerb Tense, Aspect, and Mood

During the eighth and ninth centuries, scholars at the House of Wisdom in Baghdad translated numerous classical Greek philosophical and scientific texts into Arabic. By the time European intellectuals rediscovered these manuscripts and initiated the Renaissance, the preservation of the Arabic translations ________ the survival of Aristotle's treatise on poetics for several centuries.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A
    ensure
  2. B
    have ensured
  3. had ensuredAnswer
  4. D
    will ensure

Answer

had ensured
The correct option is 'had ensured' because the past perfect tense is used to describe an action that was completed before another action in the past. The sentence establishes that by the time European intellectuals rediscovered the manuscripts (a past event), the preservation of the Arabic translations had already occurred and completed its role of securing the survival of Aristotle's treatise.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the temporal markers and verbs in the passage to establish the time frame.
The verbs 'translated,' 'rediscovered,' and 'initiated' establish that the passage is set entirely in the past.
Establishing the temporal framework is necessary to choose the correct verb tense.
2
Determine the relationship between the events described in the sentence containing the blank.
The blank describes an action (the preservation ensuring the survival of the treatise) that occurred and was completed prior to another past event ('By the time European intellectuals rediscovered...').
An action that is completed before another action in the past requires the past perfect tense (had + past participle).
3
Select the verb form that corresponds to the past perfect tense.
The past perfect form of 'ensure' is 'had ensured'.
This form correctly conveys the completed sequence of past events.

Key Concept

Verb Tense, Aspect, and Mood
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Topics

Verb Tense, Aspect, and Mood

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