When I was a very young girl, _________ grocery shopping was considered a major outing for me.(a) to be going(b) going(c) having gone(d) went

Break Down the Problem

1. Identify the grammatical structure needed for the sentence.
2. Determine the appropriate form of the verb.

Relevant Concepts

The sentence requires a gerund or a specific verb form that fits the context of the sentence, indicating an experience or activity.

Analysis and Detail

• The phrase "when I was a very young girl" sets the past context.
• The blank needs a word form that complements the structure, likely either a gerund (verb + -ing) or a past tense form.

1. (a) to be going: This is an infinitive phrase, which does not fit with the past context.
2. (b) going: This is the gerund form, suggesting the activity of grocery shopping.
3. (c) having gone: This has a more complex structure and indicates an action that was completed, making it less suitable.
4. (d) went: This is the simple past tense which works, but it is not in the gerund form.

Verify and Summarize

The best fit here is option (b) "going," as it maintains the gerund form that fits with the activity being described in a past context.

Final Answer

The correct answer is (b) going. The completed sentence reads: "When I was a very young girl, going grocery shopping was considered a major outing for me."