Question

Although Smith once championed the charity, he changed his mind after journalist linked its origin to a corrupt individual.

• A. once championed the charity
• B. had once championed the charity
• C. has once championed the charity
• D. was a champion of the charity

Hint:

Use the past perfect tense (had + verb) to describe a past action that was completed before another past action took place. Look for time markers like "after," "before," or a logical sequence of events.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question tests the correct use of verb tenses, specifically the distinction between the simple past and the past perfect.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The sentence describes two actions that happened in the past: 1. Smith championed the charity. 2. He changed his mind. The sequence of events is clear: first, he championed the charity, and then, later, he changed his mind. When a sentence describes two past actions that occurred at different times, the earlier action should be in the past perfect tense ("had" + past participle) and the later action in the simple past tense.
The later action ("changed his mind") is already in the simple past. Therefore, the earlier action ("championed") should be in the past perfect tense.
Option (B), "had once championed," correctly uses the past perfect tense to indicate that this action occurred before he "changed his mind."
Option (A) uses the simple past, which doesn't clearly establish the sequence. Option (C) uses the present perfect, which is incorrect for an action completed in the past. Option (D) changes the verb to a noun and is less direct.
Step 3: Final Answer:
To show the correct sequence of two past events, the earlier event should be in the past perfect tense. "Had once championed" correctly identifies this as the earlier action.