Choose from the options lettered A - E the one that most appropriately completes each sentence Olu has returned the pencil he________him.

Analyze the question: The sentence is "Olu has returned the pencil he __ him." We need a verb that fits the structure "he _ him," meaning the pencil was given to Olu temporarily and Olu has now returned it.

Explain the concept: This tests the difference between borrow and lend, and also tense agreement.

• Lend means to give something to someone for a short time. The structure is lend (someone) something.
• Borrow means to take something from someone for a short time. The structure is borrow something from someone.

Step-by-step solution:

1. The sentence needs an indirect object, "him," directly after the blank. So the verb must take "someone + something" without a preposition.
2. Olu is the one who returned the pencil, so Olu was the borrower. The other person is the lender: "the pencil he lent him."
3. Test each option: • A. handed: "the pencil he handed him" is grammatically possible, but it only describes passing the pencil. It does not say it was temporary, so it doesn't explain why Olu is returning it. • B. borrowed: "he borrowed him" is wrong. It would need "from him," and the meaning is reversed. • C. dashed: Wrong in meaning. • D. lent: "the pencil he lent him" is correct. It is past tense and carries the idea of a temporary loan. • E. given: Wrong form. A past participle needs an auxiliary like "had given." Also, "given" does not imply a loan.

Answer: The best choice is D. lent.

Tip: Remember: Lend = Leave it with someone (you give), Borrow = Bring it to yourself (you take). The past tense of lend is lent, not "lended." Also watch for the pattern "borrow ... from" in exams.