Question

reading & writing - part 2
zhang fucheng and colleagues have found evidence of multi - coloration in ancient dinosaur feathers, which according to zhang shows that dinosaurs 120 million years ago ______ as colorful as modern birds.
which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of standard english?
a might be
b were maybe
c may still be
d may have been

Explanation:

The sentence is referring to a past - time situation (120 million years ago). "May have been" is the correct modal construction for speculating about past events. "Might be" and "may still be" are for present - time speculation. "Were maybe" is an incorrect word - order in Standard English.

Answer:

D. may have been