(单选题)

It quite a few years the accused was declared innocent and set free.

A.was; since

B.is; that

C.will be; when

D.was; before

参考答案：D

参考解析：

考查before引导的时间状语从句。句意：过了好几年，被告才被宣布无罪并获释。根据从句中的谓语动词was可知，该句使用过去时态，故排除B和C项。It was… since …意为“自从……已经……年了”；It was … before …意为“过了……年后才……”。A项错误，A项中的was改成is则可选。故选D。

知识点：

It ______ quite a few years ______ the accused was declared innocent and set free.

It quite a few years the accused was declared innocent and set free.