Question

Researchers _______ to study mice from early ages but came across technical difficulties, so they weren’t sure they could expect clear results.

A. intended    B. were intended

C. had intended    D. had been intended

Answer

C

【解析】考查时态。句意：研究人员本打算从早期老鼠开始研究，但是遇到科技上的困难，所以他们不确定能否期待一个清晰的结果。had intended to意为“本来打算……却没有”，故选C。

【名师点睛】

“had+表示个人意志、打算、想法的动词的过去分词形式”即“had +planned/hoped/intended/wanted/thought/expected/wished/dreamt等”表示本来打算要做某事（暗含但是后来没有做成的意思）。

例：I had intended to come over to see you, but I was too busy. 我本来打算过来看你，但我太忙了。

本小题结合句意：研究人员本打算从早期老鼠开始研究，但是遇到科技上的困难。故用had intended to表示“本打算去做，但后来没做成”之意。