This question tests your understanding of verb tenses and sentence structure in English grammar. The blank requires the correct verb form to complete the sentence meaningfully and grammatically.

Let's analyze the sentence structure: "Fill in blank (119) with the most suitable option." This implies we are looking at a sentence where blank (119) appears, and we need to choose the correct verb form from the given options: telling, tell, were told, told.

The key to solving this is identifying the subject and the required tense. The verb must agree with the subject in number and tense. "Told" is the simple past tense of "tell", which is often used for completed actions in the past. "Were told" is the past passive form, used when the subject receives the action. "Tell" is present tense, and "telling" is the present participle.

Without the exact sentence, we must rely on grammatical rules. The most commonly correct option in such contexts is often the simple past "told", as it completes past tense narratives or statements.

Related Topics & Theory

Tenses: Verbs change form to show time (past, present, future). The simple past tense is used for actions completed in the past.

Verb Forms: Verbs have base form (tell), past tense (told), past participle (told), and present participle (telling).

Active vs. Passive Voice: Active voice: subject does the action (e.g., "He told a story"). Passive voice: subject receives the action (e.g., "They were told a story").

Key Formulae/Rules

Simple Past Tense: Subject + V2 (second form of verb) + object. Example: She told the truth.

Past Passive: Subject + was/were + V3 (past participle) + by agent. Example: We were told the news by the teacher.