I suppose it's high time we … attention to our studies.

Analyze the question The sentence is "I suppose it's high time we .......... attention to our studies." The key phrase is "it's high time", which decides the verb form that follows.

The concept After "it's (high) time" with a subject (we, they, he, etc.), English uses the simple past tense. The past form does not refer to past time here. It shows the action is already overdue and should have started earlier.

Examples:

• It's time he left.
• It's high time they apologised.
• It's about time we started.

Checking the options

• A. pay: the present form does not fit the "it's high time + subject" pattern.
• B. are paying: the continuous form is not used after this phrase.
• C. paid: the simple past is the correct pattern, so "it's high time we paid attention" works.
• D. should pay: "it's time we should pay" is sometimes seen, but it is not the standard form tested in WASSCE. Also, "high time" already carries the sense of "should", so it is redundant.

Answer The correct option is **C.

Exam tip Remember: "It's (high/about) time + subject + past tense." When you see "high time" in a gap-fill question, look for the simple past form first.