[Grammar] "have been playing" or "played" or "has played"?

[simile]

"have been playing" or "played" or "have played"?

The question is:
The boys are dirty from head to toe because they _____ soccer in the mud.
(A) played (B) had played (C) have been playing (D) have played
Ans. (C)

I think it's not wrong to choose (A) and if (C) is the correct answer, why can't (D) be the reasonable one?

 

[simile]

Re: "have been playing" or "played" or "have played"?

Could anyone tell me what you think of this question?

 

[Tdol]

Re: "have been playing" or "played" or "have played"?

When there is current evidence (dirt) of a recent activity, we tend to use the present perfect progressive form. However, it's not a very good test question as this is not an absolute.