Choose the most appropriate word from the options given below to complete the following sentence. If the athlete had wanted to come first in the race, he _______________ several hours every day. A. should practise B. should have practised C. practised D. should be practising

GATE 2015 · General Aptitude · Tenses · medium

Answer: 'Should have practised' — the modal perfect form required by the third conditional pattern. Answer: B.

1. Identify the conditional type: The if-clause 'had wanted' uses past perfect => this is a third conditional (unreal past hypothetical).
2. Apply the main clause pattern: The main clause requires: modal (should/would/could) + have + past participle. Only option B, 'should have practised', fits.
3. Confirm the answer: Full sentence: 'If the athlete had wanted to come first in the race, he should have practised several hours every day.' This correctly expresses an unfulfilled past obligation.