Question

“Who ______ this picture?” the teacher asked.
Fill in the blank with most appropriate word
A) Is drawn
B) Drawn
C) Have drawn
D) Draws
E) Has drawn

Answer 1

Hint: There are twelve basic tenses in English grammar and each tense tells the time of an event i.e. whether it's taking place in the future, present or past. In the above question, we have to identify which of the given options has the appropriate tense with which we can fill the blank. The sentence is written in direct speech.

 Complete answer:
The reporting verb that is used in the question is given in the past tense. This implies that the verb in the question asked will be in its present tense.
A) Incorrect answer - “Who is drawn this picture?” is grammatically incorrect. When we use ‘is’ we are telling a fact for e.g. this is a ball. However when we use ‘has’, we are telling/highlighting a feature of something/someone. For e.g. He has grey hair. Therefore, using ‘is’ in this sentence is wrong.
B) Incorrect answer -“Who drawn this picture?” is grammatically incorrect. Firstly, a ‘to be’ form of verb is essential to join the interrogative word and the verb in the sentence. Secondly, we have to use present tense in the sentence while the tense of the given word is not clear. If we add ‘is/has’ to the given word it will become present perfect and if we add ‘had’ then, it will become past perfect. Therefore, using it in this sentence is wrong.
C) Incorrect answer -“Who have drawn this picture?” is grammatically incorrect. We have to use the singular form of the linking verb because if we had to use ‘have’ then the sentence would have been “ Who all have drawn this picture?”.
D) Incorrect answer -“Who draws this picture?” is grammatically incorrect. If we read the sentence, it indicates that the picture has already been made. But, ‘draws’ implies that the person does not stop; his/her activity in ongoing/general truth, which isn’t grammatically correct.
E) Correct answer -“Who has drawn this picture?” is grammatically incorrect. It is present perfect tense. The drawing has already been made but in the present moment.

Therefore the correct answer is option ‘E’.

Note: In direct speech we usually use the reporting verb in past simple tense only. When we report any recent/ current/ repetitive/ continuous event we usually use the reporting verb in the present tense. However, if the event is not recent or belongs to immediate past/past then we use the reporting verb in past tense.