In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the bracketed part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select "no improvement".

Partition (has been billed) as a distressing phase in the subcontinent’s history.

The correct answer is No improvement.

Key Points

• The word partition is a singular noun. So, has and not have should follow. So, we can eliminate option 1.
• Also, when the structure of the sentence is ‘has been + verb’, the verb takes its past participle form.
  • Let us understand this by example:
    • The cars have been washed. (past participle form of wash)
    • The car has been manufactured by the Tata Group.  (past participle form of manufacture)
• Hence, we can eliminate option 3. (billed should be used and not bill)
• ‘Partition has been billed …’ is correct and needs no improvement.
• Therefore, the correct answer is option 4.
• Note – the word billed here means to declare officially.
   

Correct sentence: 'The Partition has been billed (declared) as a distressing phase in the subcontinent’s history.'