Could you confirm or correct my questions?

Question

Hi teachers,This is for a listening comprehension exercise. The text is from a CD. (The Elephant Man) Context:‘Lighthouses have sea all round them, don’t they?’ he said. ‘Nobody could look at me in a lighthouse, so I would be happy there. And blind people can see nothing, so they couldn’t see me, could they?’ ‘But Joseph,’ I said, ‘this is your home. You live here now. You aren’t going to leave the hospital.’Assuming that we know that 'he' is 'Merrick' and 'I' is the doctor, would the following be suitable questions and answers?1. What were Merrick’s reasons to move to a lighthouse? Lighthouses have sea all around them. Nobody could look at him there, so he would be happy.2. What was Merrick’s reason to move to a home for blind people? Blind people can see nothing.(The answer to number 3 should be in present, shouldn't it?)3. Did the doctor agree on that? No, he didn’t.Thanks in advance.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

1. What were Merrick’s reasons for moving to a lighthouse? Lighthouses have sea all around them. Nobody could look at him there, so he would be happy.
2. What was Merrick’s reason for moving to a home for the blind? Blind people can see nothing.
3. Did the doctor agree with Merrick? No, he didn’t.

(The answer to number 3 should be in present, shouldn't it?-- No, past is natural. You usually have a choice when asking about stories and other narratives as to whether to frame questions in the past (when the story was read/heard by the student or when it took place) or in the present (since the story still exists and its narrative is always in its own 'present'). However, you must choose and then be consistent.

Tenacious Learner · Answer

Mister Micawber(The answer to number 2 should be in present, shouldn't it?

Hi Mister Micawber,
Thank you so much for your reply and advice. So sorry, I should have said, "The answer to number 2 should only be in present ..."
I asked that question because in my understanding blind people can never see nothing. That's why I asked, thought to me the present seems to be the only option.

TS

Mister Micawber · Answer

Thinking SpainI asked that question because in my understanding blind people can never see nothing. That's why I asked, thought to me the present seems to be the only option.

Still, it can be framed as 'report' of the narrative—in past tense.

Tenacious Learner · Answer

Hi Mister MIcawber,
Thank you for your reply. Then the answer can be in past tense.
What is the reason for using 'for moving' and not 'to move'? Is it because after 'reason' in afirmative we should use a gerund?
~~2. What was Merrick’s reason to move to a home for blind people? Blind people could see see nothing.~~
2. What was Merrick’s reason for moving to a home for the blind? The blind could see nothing.

But in negative we say, 'They have no reason to do that.', don't we?

TS

Mister Micawber · Answer

'Reason for doing' is more common/formal in both polarities.

Tenacious Learner · Answer

Mister Micawber'Reason for doing' is more common/formal in both polarities.

Hi Mister Micawber,
Thank you for your teaching.

TS

Could you confirm or correct my questions?

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