Question

Choose the option that best fills in the blank:

I have read this novel _____.

• A. now
• B. late
• C. formerly
• D. before

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Here, 'before' as an adverb of time is correct because it often comes after nouns such as day, morning, night, week, month, year to refer to the previous day, morning, etc. Here, the novel had been read 'before' some time in the past.
'Now' as an adverb implies at or from this moment, but not before.
'Late' as an adjective is used [only before noun]near the end of a period of time, a person’s life, etc.
'Formerly' as an adverb implies before the present time or in the past.