I _ dinner when Mom phoned.
Correct answer: B. Was serving
- A. Were serving
- B. Was serving
- C. Have been
- D. Serve
Explanation
The correct answer is 'was serving'. The past continuous tense ('was serving') is appropriate here as it describes an action ('serving dinner') that was ongoing when interrupted by another past event ('when Mom phoned'). The other options are incorrect: 'were serving' uses the wrong form of 'to be' for the singular subject 'I'; 'have been' is present perfect tense, not suitable for past ongoing actions; 'serve' is in simple present tense, which does not fit the context of past events.
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Tenses show when an action or state occurs and whether it is complete, continuing or repeated. The work covers present, past and future forms, including simple, continuous, perfect and perfect continuous constructions, as well as sequence of tenses and the difference between tense and aspect.
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