Which is the correct choice of verb?

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According to the passage, list two factors that had contributed to the Stermers (a species of dinosaurs) surviving their ordeal.

In the below answer to the above comprehension question which verb in bold should I use?

They are/were love of family and strict discipline.

I think 'were' should be used because of the phrase 'had contributed '.

Thanks.

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@tanguatlay,

I agree, for whatever that's worth.

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@tanguatlay,

The past tense "were" is correct.

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@tanguatlay,

If you make it into a more complex sentence, it's easier to see.

Two factors that had contributed to the Stermers (a species of dinosaurs) surviving their ordeal were love of family and strict discipline.

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@tanguatlay,

Quote:

They are/were love of family and strict discipline.

If you put it in a richer context, you see that it could be either, Ms Tan.

'are' speaks to the general nature/the routine/the habitual. Using 'were' focuses upon this one particular instance.

They are the same two things that ensure families today survive any ordeal; love of family and strict discipline.

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@tanguatlay,

I hope you can see now, Ms Tan, how "correct" is a bad choice of words to ask about choices in language.

So many things depend on context, or in other words, speaker focus.

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@JTT,

Thanks to all of you for your help.

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Which is the correct choice of verb?

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