The task … to them was very difficult.

Analyze the question: The sentence is "The task ____ to them was very difficult." We need the word that correctly fills the gap before "to them."

Explain the concept: Here the missing word works as a past participle used as a reduced relative clause (a participle phrase). It modifies the noun "task."

"The task given to them" means "The task that was given to them." The passive meaning (the task received the giving) calls for the past participle given.

Solution, step by step:

1. The main verb of the sentence is was (was very difficult). So the gap is not the main verb. This rules out D (gave), because "The task gave to them was..." would give the sentence two verbs and no proper structure.
2. The gap must describe "task." The task is being given, not doing the giving, so we need a passive idea.
3. Test each option: • A. "The task giving to them" is wrong. The -ing form suggests the task is doing the giving. • B. "The task given to them" means "the task that was given to them." This is correct. • C. "The task give to them" is ungrammatical. • D. "The task gave to them" is ungrammatical, as explained above.

Answer: The correct option is B. given.

Full sentence: The task given to them was very difficult.

Exam tip: When a noun is followed by a blank and then a phrase like "to them," "by him," or "in the book," and the noun receives the action, think past participle (given, written, taken, chosen). Quick test: can you insert "that was" before the word? "The task that was given to them" works, so choose the past participle.