Choose the correct tense of the verb from the given options: Sita told them…

Correct answer: were

Explanation:

• Sequence of tenses: The reporting verb "told" is in the past, so the clause that follows shifts to past tense in reported speech. Therefore a past-tense form is required.

• Subject–verb agreement: The subject "they" is plural, so the correct past plural form is "were" (not "was").

• Why the other choices are incorrect:

  • "are" is present tense and does not follow the past reporting verb.

  • "will be" is future tense; after a past reporting verb, future is typically backshifted (e.g., "would be"), so "will be" is inappropriate.

  • "can" is a present modal expressing ability or possibility and does not express the past state required here.

Putting it together: "Sita told them that they were wrong."