Which answer best describes the verb tenses in the sentence?
while my father works outside, my mother usually prepares dinner for the family.
a.
the verb tenses are consistent.
b.
the verb tenses shift

A. The verb tenses are consistent.

The first verb, works, is in the present tense. The second verb, prepares, also is in the present tense.

This means that both father and mother are doing their individual tasks at the same time.

The verb tenses only shift when one verb uses the present tense and the other verb uses the past or future tense.

Example of the shifting verb tenses:

While my father works outside, my mother prepared dinner for the family.

First verb, works, is in present tense while the second verb, prepared, is in the past tense. Thus, the verb tenses shift in a single sentence.