GATE EC 2025 Set 1 — Question 2

MCQ+1 / -0.33EasyEnglish Grammar (Tenses, Articles, Prepositions, Conjunctions)Verbal AptitudeGeneral Aptitude

General Aptitude → Verbal Aptitude → English Grammar (Tenses, Articles, Prepositions, Conjunctions)

Last updated 5 September 2026

Question

Had I learnt acting as a child, I______a famous film star. Select the most appropriate option to complete the above sentence.

Correct answer (D) could have been Solution The sentence uses a past perfect conditional structure (Type 3 conditional), which describes a hypothetical situation in the past and its hypothetical result in the past. The structure is: If + past perfect (had + V3), would/could/might have + V3. In this sentence, "Had I learnt acting as a child" is equivalent to "If I had learnt acting as a child". The main clause should follow the structure "could have been" to express a past possibility or ability that did not happen. Let's analyze the options: (A) "will be": This is used for future events or simple present conditionals (Type 1). (B) "would be": This is typically used for present or future hypothetical situations (Type 2 conditional) or as a past form of 'will'. (C) "am going to be": This expresses a future intention or prediction. (D) "could have been": This correctly completes the Type 3 conditional, indicating a past possibility that did not materialize. Therefore, the most appropriate option is "could have been". Turn this into a strength. Explore AI-powered practice and doubt support with Success Tracker.

Review answer and solution without JavaScript

Interactive answer checking needs JavaScript. The published solution is available below.

Correct answer (D) could have been Solution The sentence uses a past perfect conditional structure (Type 3 conditional), which describes a hypothetical situation in the past and its hypothetical result in the past. The structure is: If + past perfect (had + V3), would/could/might have + V3. In this sentence, "Had I learnt acting as a child" is equivalent to "If I had learnt acting as a child". The main clause should follow the structure "could have been" to express a past possibility or ability that did not happen. Let's analyze the options: (A) "will be": This is used for future events or simple present conditionals (Type 1). (B) "would be": This is typically used for present or future hypothetical situations (Type 2 conditional) or as a past form of 'will'. (C) "am going to be": This expresses a future intention or prediction. (D) "could have been": This correctly completes the Type 3 conditional, indicating a past possibility that did not materialize. Therefore, the most appropriate option is "could have been".

Continue learning with Success Tracker

Use Success Tracker to ask about the reasoning, then try another GATE EC question to check your understanding.

AI-powered practice· Unlimited practice on eligible plans

PYQs with solutions: Attempt available previous-year questions, then compare your reasoning with the worked solution. Coverage varies by stream.
Practice that adapts: Choose a topic, work on weaker areas and bookmark questions to revisit. Your attempts feed your progress tracking.
AI doubt support: Ask follow-up questions about a step or concept while practising, instead of stopping at the final answer.

Unlimited practice is available on eligible plans. Free practice and AI usage have limits; check the current plan allowances before choosing.

This page stays readable without an account. AI responses can be wrong; check them against the solution and source material.