The ancient manuscript is believed ______ by Monophysite scribes during the late sixth century.
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. to have been written
- Step 1: When reporting verbs in the passive (e.g., 'is believed') refer to an earlier completed historical action, a perfect passive infinitive is required. The structure 'to have been + past participle' correctly indicates that the writing occurred prior to the present belief. Answer: to have been written. Why not the others: "having been written" uses a participle phrase where an infinitive complement is syntactically required after 'is believed'; "to be written then" uses a present infinitive, falsely implying that the action is contemporary with the present belief; "being written text" uses a gerund/participle form that cannot complete the passive raising construction.
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