Fill in the blank with the appropriate word. James _______swim across the river when he was young.

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Could

Should

Might

Can

answer is A.

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Detailed Solution

Concept- James could swim across the river when he was young.
A modal auxiliary is a kind of verb that is used to show modality as likelihood, ability, capacity, suggestion, or order.
In the sentence, the ability to swim off the subject James is been talked about. Therefore the suitable modal auxiliary for this sentence will be the one that represents ability also as the sentence talks about the younger version of the subject the modal auxiliary should be in the past tense. The word ‘could’ is a modal auxiliary that represents ability. Also, it is in past tense so this modal auxiliary is suitable for the sentence. The word ‘should’ is a modal auxiliary that gives advice or suggestions, which is not suitable for the sentence. The word ‘might’ refers to likelihood, it is in past tense but it is not appropriate for the sentence. And at last, can is a modal auxiliary that directs to ability, it is not in past tense and therefore incorrect.
Hence, option 1 is correct.

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