Explanation
Correct answer: (c) were fleeing
Explanation:
The sentence requires a verb form that shows an ongoing action in the past. "Were fleeing" (past continuous tense) describes that the man and the dog were in the middle of escaping through the forest at some earlier time.
Why the other options are incorrect:
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(a) has fled: This is present perfect tense, which indicates a completed action. It does not describe an ongoing past action.
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(b) flees: This is simple present tense. It expresses a habitual or general truth, not a past ongoing event.
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(d) fleeing: This is the present participle, but without a helping verb it does not form a complete verb phrase. The sentence needs a properly conjugated tense, not just the -ing form alone.
Therefore, the best choice is (c) were fleeing because it clearly shows the continuous action happening in the past.
