Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb to complete the following sentence: A path leading to the ashram _______ (need) to be fixed but he decided to have it replaced instead.

The correct answer is: B. needs

The sentence is in the present simple tense, so the verb needs to be in the present simple tense as well. The other options are not in the present simple tense.

• Needed is in the past simple tense. It would be used if the sentence was about something that happened in the past.
• Will need is in the future simple tense. It would be used if the sentence was about something that will happen in the future.
• Been in needed is not a correct verb form.

The sentence is about a path that needs to be fixed. The speaker is saying that the path needs to be fixed now, not in the past or the future. Therefore, the correct verb form is needs.