Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank. Sentence: You ______…

The phrase "since 7 p.m." indicates an action that started at a specific point in the past and continues up to the present.

Rule: Use the Present Perfect Continuous (have/has been + verb-ing) for actions that began in the past and are still ongoing.

Correct sentence: You have been watching TV since 7 p.m. Now go and study.

Why the other choices are incorrect:

• "had watched" — This is past perfect, used for an action completed before another past event. It does not express continuation to the present.

• "watch" — The base form cannot stand alone here. An auxiliary and appropriate tense are required to show the ongoing action (have been watching).

• "watched" — Simple past describes a finished action in the past. Because "since 7 p.m." suggests the action continues now, simple past is not suitable.

Tip: When you see "since" followed by a point in time, choose a tense that connects past to present. The present perfect continuous emphasizes the ongoing duration (have been + -ing).