Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word. I _____ a card to the club and in the afternoon I went there to play bridge.

had been giving
were given
was given
have given

The correct answer is: C. was given

The sentence is in the past tense, so the verb must also be in the past tense. The other options are not in the past tense.

  • Had been giving is in the past perfect progressive tense. This tense is used to talk about an action that was happening in the past before another action in the past. In this sentence, there is no other action in the past, so the past perfect progressive tense is not appropriate.
  • Were given is in the past passive voice. This tense is used to talk about an action that was done to someone or something. In this sentence, the focus is on the person who did the action, not on the person who received the action. Therefore, the past passive voice is not appropriate.
  • Have given is in the present perfect tense. This tense is used to talk about an action that happened in the past and has an effect on the present. In this sentence, there is no indication that the action of giving the card has an effect on the present. Therefore, the present perfect tense is not appropriate.

Therefore, the only option that is in the past tense and is appropriate for the context of the sentence is C. was given.