Select the grammatically correct option to complete the conditional sentence:
"If the soil moisture sensor ________ recalibrated before the onset of monsoon, the automated drip irrigation system ________ triggered excessive water application during the storm."
Options:
(A) had been, would not have
(B) was, will not have
(C) would have been, had not
(D) has been, would not
Answer Key:
A
Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation
**Method 1: Third Conditional Rule (Past Unreal Condition)**
The structure of a third conditional sentence expressing a hypothetical past condition and its unreal past result is:
$\text{If} + \text{past perfect } (\text{had} + \text{V}_3), \dots \text{would have} + \text{V}_3$
Here, 'had been recalibrated' is the past perfect passive, and 'would not have triggered' is the conditional perfect clause.
Therefore, option **A** is correct.