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Question

The country ________ several economic changes in the past two decades.

This question was previously asked in
CDS 2 2024 Maths Question Paper (01-Sep-2024)
The correct answer is
underwent

Economic Changes Past Tense Explanation

This question asks us to select the correct verb tense to fill in the blank, describing actions related to "economic changes" that occurred over a specific period. The key phrase guiding our choice is "in the past two decades".

Past Two Decades Time Phrase Analysis

The phrase "in the past two decades" clearly indicates a timeframe that is now finished. When we talk about actions completed within a specific, finished period in the past, the simple past tense is usually the most appropriate choice.

Verb Tense Options Analysis

Let's look at the options provided:

  • 1. underwent: This is the simple past tense of the verb "undergo". It is used for actions that happened and were completed at a specific time in the past. This fits perfectly with the timeframe "in the past two decades". The sentence reads: "The country underwent several economic changes in the past two decades."
  • 2. had undergone: This is the past perfect tense. It's typically used to describe an action that happened *before* another action or specific time in the past. For example: "The country had undergone significant restructuring before joining the new trade bloc." Since there isn't another past event mentioned for comparison, the past perfect is less suitable here than the simple past.
  • 3. will be undergoing: This is the future continuous tense. It describes an action that will be in progress at some point in the future. This tense is incorrect because the sentence is discussing past events, not future ones.
  • 4. have been undergoing: This is the present perfect continuous tense. It indicates an action that started in the past and is still continuing in the present, or has recently stopped but has relevance to the present. While economic changes might span a long period, the phrase "in the past two decades" often implies a focus on the completed event within that defined past duration. The simple past tense emphasizes the completion within that specific past timeframe more directly.

Final Tense Choice

Based on the analysis, the simple past tense "underwent" is the most fitting verb tense to describe economic changes that occurred "in the past two decades", as it accurately conveys a completed action within a specific past period.

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