Question

There _________a book and three pens on my desk just now，but now there is nothing on it.
A. had                   B. were                 C. was

Answer 1

C

考查there be句型用法。 此处表示“有一本书和三支钢笔在桌子上。”，要用there be句型，根据there be句型就近的原则，后面是a book，故用单数，又因为有just now，故要用过去时态。