Question

Choose the correct completion. Had the early warnings been taken seriously, the damage to the wetlands __________.

• A. could have been reduced ,
• B. could be reduced
• C. can have been reduced
• D. had been reduced

Answer 1

Answer:

A. could have been reduced ,

If + past perfect, subject + could/would/might have + been + past participle (passive).

• Had the early warnings been taken seriously is an inverted form of If the early warnings had been taken seriously.

• Could have been reduced is the correct passive construction for a possible result in the past.