When + Perfect

[shatilof]

At learnenglish.britishcouncil.org I've just happened to stumble upon a strange sentence in their test section and the sentence is:

When had you last spoken?

Is is not a variant of an answer but the original sentence written by them.

Is it just a mistake or is there something else in it I am missing?

 

[shatilof]

Anyone?

 

[Piscean]

Please don't bump your post after only half an hour. We who respond do so in our free time.

Your sentence is fine in the appropriate context,

 

[shatilof]

Please don't bump your post after only half an hour. we who respond do so in our free time.

Your sentence is fine in the appropriate context,

Ok, thank you. Now, what is the appropriate context exactly if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Piscean]

Here is one context:

Bill: I had a call from Mary yesterday. It was a pleasant surprise; I was beginning to think she'd decided to drop me.
Ben: When had you last spoken?

 

[shatilof]

Great. How would it be different from:

When did you last speak?

 

[Piscean]

That could be answered with "I've just told you - yesterday"'

Using the past perfect makes it clear that the question refers to the previous occasion.