[Grammar] Problems with Exercise from English Grammer in Use

Hello,
Unit 20 contains "going to (do)" lessons.

1st lesson:
'I think the baby's hungry.' 'Yes, I know. ________________ her.'

a) I'm going to feed b) I'm feeding c) I was going to feed

I thought only a) is correct. But only a) and c) is the correct answer.

How can that be?

bolshi said:

Hello,
Unit 20 contains "going to (do)" lessons.

1st lesson:
'I think the baby's hungry.' 'Yes, I know. ________________ her.'

a) I'm going to feed b) I'm feeding c) I was going to feed

I thought only a) is correct. But only a) and c) is the correct answer.

How can that be?

Click to expand...

a) and c) are both possible.

I know that. Because the program said the only correct answer is a) and c).

I'd like to know why c) works as well.

c = I was about to feed her (when you spoke).

bolshi said:

Hello,
Unit 20 contains "going to (do)" lessons.

1st lesson:
'I think the baby's hungry.' 'Yes, I know. ________________ her.'

a) I'm going to feed b) I'm feeding c) I was going to feed

I thought only a) is correct. But only a) and c) is the correct answer.

How can that be?

Click to expand...

I agree with a and c. I could even make a case for b.

For native speaker it seems to be consequential. Sorry, I'm a German

There are several different examples within the lesson I'll ask later. For me the 'going to' rule based on a logic rule concerning future.

But does exist a rule where I derive 'c' from too?

@5jj What does 'when you spoke' mean?

c) suggests that the speaker already had the plan/intention before the person said that the baby was hungry.

Great! Now I know how it works


Thanks a lot!

The problem with exercises of this sort is that the writer often has a specific point of grammar in mind, ignoring the fact that, in real life, all sorts of things might be going through the minds of the speakers. As Mike suggested, (b) culd be natural in real life - though I don't recommend that you choose it in this type of exercise.

bolshi said:

I know that. Because the program said the only correct answer is a) and c).

Click to expand...

This doesn't make sense. If there's an only correct answer, it's either a) or c).
Do you mean that the program gave both a) and c) as correct answers?
Your original might make sense with 'answers are'.