After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of the sentence is given. Choose the…

Analyze the question: The sentence "the Director ought to have built a house by now" uses the structure ought to have + past participle. We need to find what this implies.

Concept: "Ought to have + past participle" expresses an expected or advisable action in the past that did not happen. Examples:

• "You ought to have studied" means you did not study.
• "She should have arrived" means she has not arrived.

So the sentence carries a hint of mild criticism or surprise. Something was expected, but it has not happened.

Step-by-step solution:

1. "Considering his huge salary" tells us the Director earns a lot of money.
2. "ought to have built a house by now" means that, given his income, he was expected to have built one already, but he has not.
3. Now check the options: • A. Says nothing about his satisfaction with his salary. Wrong. • B. "has not built a house yet." This matches the implication exactly. Correct. • C. "earns a lot his house is still not ready" suggests he has started building and the house is unfinished. The sentence does not say that. It is also poorly phrased, with no connecting word. Wrong. • D. Says he lacks enough money. This contradicts "huge salary." Wrong.

**Answer: B.

Exam tip: Remember that ought to have / should have + past participle usually signals an expectation that was not met. When you see it, look for the option that says the action has not happened.