Complete the sentence: The new recruits () guns.

• A. Aren't given
• B. Are given
• C. Were given
• D. Have given

Answer: (A)

This item is about forming the present passive voice and using negation. The subject, the new recruits, is plural, so in the present passive we use are plus the past participle: are given. If the idea is that they do not receive guns, you negate the verb with not, giving are not given, which contracted becomes aren’t given. In context, this communicates a current situation or policy that they aren’t provided with guns.

Why the other forms aren’t the best fit here: are given would state a current provisioning without negation, which changes the meaning; were given would refer to a past event, not the present situation; have given would imply the recruits themselves gave guns to someone, which doesn’t align with the sentence structure.