John was a shepherd boy. He cared for his father's sheep. As there ________1 many wolves prowling about waiting for a chance to kill the sheep, John had to be ________2.

Question

Some men were harvesting wheat in a field not far from where the flock was feeding. One day they were startled ________3 the cry, "A wolf! a wolf!" They looked up and saw John motioning ________4 to them and pointing toward the sheep.

They threw down their sickles and ran to the flock. But they found the sheep quietly grazing, and there ________5 no wolf to be seen.

"Where is the wolf?" they asked.

"I didn't say the wolf was here,' replied John, and he laughed loud and long as he saw the look of surprise in the men's faces.

"What do you mean, you young rascal, by fooling ________6 so?" they cried.

If they ________7 John, they would have given him a sound whipping, but he ________8 out of their reach.

Not many days after, these same men heard the cry, "Wolf! wolf!"

"John is trying to fool us again," they said, and went on with their work.

John called again and again, and seemed in so much trouble that the kind-hearted men left their work and hurried toward the sheep pasture.

When they came to the pasture, they ________9 that John had been playing another trick on them. They looked for him, but could not find him. He had hidden in some bushes where he could look on and enjoy their surprise and anger. At last they went back to ________10 work.

One day wolves ________11. John was very much frightened. He ________12 to the men for help. They only laughed at him. "Oh, you ________13 us twice," they said. "You shall not have another chance."

"But the wolves are surely there," cried John. "They are killing the sheep. Do come and help!" The men ________14 on with their work and did not even look at John.

Before he could find anyone ________15 would believe him, many of the sheep had been killed.
Question
Look at the blank with the number 7 in the passage. Which of these answers correctly completes the sentence?
Responses
A have catchedhave catched
B had caughtenhad caughten
C could of caughtcould of caught
D could have caughtcould have caught

Answer 1

The correct answer to fill in the blank with the number 7 in the passage is:

D. could have caught

The completed sentence would read: "If they could have caught John, they would have given him a sound whipping, but he _____ out of their reach."