Choose the option that is the active form of the given sentence. This issue…

Solution

Correct answer: The Ministry of External Affairs has taken this issue solemnly.

Explanation

• Identify the voice and tense: The given sentence is passive voice in the present perfect ('has been taken').

• Passive structure (present perfect): Subject (original object) + has/have + been + past participle + by + agent (original subject).

• Active structure (present perfect): Agent (original subject) + has/have + past participle + object (original object).

• Conversion steps: place the agent (the Ministry of External Affairs) as the subject, change 'has been taken' to 'has taken', and remove the preposition 'by'.

Apply to the sentence

• Original (passive): "This issue has been taken solemnly by the Ministry of External Affairs."

• Active form (preserving tense and meaning): "The Ministry of External Affairs has taken this issue solemnly."

Why the other sentences are incorrect

• "The Ministry of External Affairs took this issue solemnly." — uses simple past ('took'), which does not preserve the present perfect aspect of the original sentence.

• "The Ministry of External Affairs had taken this issue solemnly." — uses past perfect ('had taken'), changing the time-frame and aspect compared with the original present perfect.

• "The Ministry of External Affairs is taking this issue solemnly." — uses present continuous ('is taking'), which changes the aspect and does not match the original present perfect passive meaning.

Summary: The correct active sentence preserves the present perfect tense and makes the original agent the subject: The Ministry of External Affairs has taken this issue solemnly.