Question

I was surprised by how successful Janice ____.

had became or became? They both sound correct.

Answer 1

It's "had become" since she became successful before "I was surprised" happened.

This is dealing with the sequence of tenses:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/verbs.htm#sequence

Answer 2

That is why I thought it was became, I can only pick

become
becomed
became
had became

I thought had become but I do not have that option.

Answer 3

had became = incorrect (simple past verb form never has a helping verb)

Among the others, "became" is the only one you can choose. What a bad question! Or a bad textbook/question writer!

Answer 4

Thats what I was thinking bad question.
Thank you.

Answer 5

If I were paying for this course from which all these questions are coming, I'd want my money back ... or something!