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    Question

    Which of the phrases (A), (B), (C), and (D) given below

    should replace the phrase given in ’bold’’ in the following sentence to make the sentence grammatically meaningful and correct. If the sentence is correct as it is and no correction required, mark (E) as the answer. By the time the meeting ended, the members reach a consensus on the issue.
    A reached a consensus Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    B had reached a consensus Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    C have reached a consensus Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    D were reaching a consensus Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    E No replacement required Correct Answer Incorrect Answer

    Solution

    The phrase by the time indicates that one action was completed before another action in the past. When two past actions are mentioned in this way, the earlier action must be in the past perfect tense. Since reaching a consensus happened before the meeting ended, had reached is the correct tense.

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