then=at that time

[jasonlulu_2000]

After her first job, teaching disabled children, she became a part time writer for IBM. _______, writing stories was simply a personal interest.

A. Normally B. Then c, Certainly D, Instead

The answer given is B. The explanation is "then=at that time"

But I don't think "then" in this context means "at that time". It usually means "next" or "later" when put in front of a sentence.

Am I right? I don't think any of the choices makes sense.

Thanks for your help!

Jason

 

[Tarheel]

I think you could use A, B or nothing.

 

[emsr2d2]

"Then" makes perfect sense. Although she had a part-time job as a writer for IBM, she clearly also had an interest in writing stories. However, at that time​ (ie while she worked at IBM), writing stories was only a personal interest.

 

[jasonlulu_2000]

So "then" can mean "at that time", when put in front of a sentence.

Then, I was a young adult. =At that time, I was a young adult.

Am I right?

Jason

 

[GoesStation]

So "then" can mean "at that time", when put in front of a sentence.

Then, I was a young adult. =At that time, I was a young adult.

Am I right?

"Then", at the beginning of a sentence, can mean "at that time". It's not always natural though.

 

[emsr2d2]

Depending on how long ago the time period being referred to is/was, it might be more appropriate to use "Back then, ..."