Correct Answer:
A. voted
The correct answer is A: voted. In this sentence, "the committee" functions as a collective noun. When a collective noun refers to the group acting as a single, unified entity, it takes a singular verb. The phrase "unanimously in favor of the proposal" clearly indicates that the committee acted as one unit, making a single decision. Furthermore, the action of voting has already been completed, requiring a past tense verb.
- A: voted is the simple past tense, correctly indicating a completed action by a singular entity in the past.
- B: vote is the base form and would be used for present simple plural or imperative, which doesn't fit the context.
- C: voting is the present participle and requires an auxiliary verb (e.g., "is voting," "was voting") to form a complete verb phrase.
- D: have voted is the present perfect tense, which implies an action completed recently or with relevance to the present, but the simple past "voted" is more direct and appropriate for a straightforward past event without specific present implications.