Which option correctly completes the sentence? The student _________ for the final exam.

The phrase "The student _________ for the final exam" requires a verb form that appropriately indicates the action of studying in the past or ongoing effort in relation to the final exam. The correct choice, "was studying," uses the past continuous tense, which conveys that the action of studying was in progress at some point in the past. This suggests that at the time of reference, the student was engaged in the study process.

Using "was studying" effectively communicates an ongoing action, making it suitable for the context of the sentence, as it implies that the student was actively preparing for the exam during a specific time frame leading up to it. This tense also allows for flexibility in indicating that the studying could have taken place over a period of time, giving a clear picture of the student's efforts.