Choose the verb tense that makes the most sense. it was dark out, so the house extra spooky.

The correct answer is was.

Explanation:

In the sentence, the first clause is written in past; this can be spotted by reading the verb be in singular form in past tense (was). Following this pattern, the second part refers to a singular subject (the house) and it would be incorrect to fill in the blank with were or any other tense, such as future or present (the sentence might be nonsense), turning was into the correct answer.

If we refer to the first part of "Beowulf" when we are first being told of Grendel's attacks, we can determine what the answer to this question is. We know that Grendel was jealous of Hrothgar's kingdom and the happiness they had since Grendel was an outcast, a son of Cain. He would never experience the happiness and joy that Hrothgar's kingdom had which is what made him start attacking them as the mead hall was finished. The only way for the men to escape certain death was for them to not sleep in the mead hall each night. Any man found in the mead hall after dark was guaranteed to be killed by Grendel and possibly pulled into his lair beneath the water.