Question 64·Easy·Form, Structure, and Sense
While most digital cameras today automatically adjust settings for optimal lighting conditions, early photographers had to _____ the exposure time manually for each shot.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
For verb-form completion questions, always read several words before and after the blank to identify any helping verbs (like "had to," "will," "is," "was"). Then recall the standard patterns (for example, "had to + base verb," "is + -ing verb," "have + past participle") and eliminate any choices that break those patterns. Finally, quickly plug each remaining option into the sentence to check that the grammar and meaning both work smoothly.
Hints
Focus on the helping verb
Look closely at the words right before the blank: what helping verb phrase comes just before it?
Think about common patterns
Consider how the phrase "had to" is normally followed by a verb in English. What form does that verb usually take?
Try each choice in the sentence
Read the full sentence out loud with each option in the blank and listen for which one sounds grammatically correct after "had to."
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the sentence structure
The sentence contrasts modern digital cameras with early photographers:
- Modern cameras: "automatically adjust settings"
- Early photographers: "had to _____ the exposure time manually"
We need a verb form after "had to" that describes what early photographers were required to do.
Identify the grammar pattern after "had to"
The phrase "had to" works like a modal (similar to "must" or "can"). It is always followed by the base form of the verb (the simplest form, with no -ing or -ed and no extra "to").
Correct patterns:
- "had to go"
- "had to study"
- "had to leave"
Incorrect patterns:
- "had to going"
- "had to went"
- "had to to go" (double "to")
So we are looking for the base form of the verb that fits: "had to ___ the exposure time manually."
Test the answer choices in the sentence
Put each option after "had to" and check for correct grammar:
- "had to adjusting" → incorrect verb form
- "had to adjusted" → incorrect verb form
- "had to to adjust" → double "to," ungrammatical
- "had to adjust" → correct "had to + base verb" pattern
Therefore, the correct answer is A) adjust.