What is the difference between "smitten" and "smote"?

[Wallie]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #267 "Irregular Verbs Test (15)", question 9

In the dark ages, areas in Europe were ......... by horrible and tragic diseases.

(a) smite
(b) smote
(c) smitten

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #267 "Irregular Verbs Test (15)", answer 9

In the dark ages, areas in Europe were smitten by horrible and tragic diseases.

Correct answer: (c) smitten

Your answer was: incorrect
In the dark ages, areas in Europe were smote by horrible and tragic diseases.
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why smitten and not smote. Is this past progressive form?

Wallie

[Alan]

Hi,

Smote is the past tense and smitten is the past participle, which is needed in this passive construction - were smitten.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Phrasal Verbs/go