Final answer:
The sentence 'Pedro learned a lot about invasive species, like the lionfish, at the aquarium yesterday.' is the correct way to change the original sentence from present tense to past tense. Verb tense consistency is important for clarity in writing.
Step-by-step explanation:
To change the sentence 'Pedro is learning a lot about invasive species, like the lionfish, at the aquarium.' from present tense to past tense, the correct option is 'Pedro learned a lot about invasive species, like the lionfish, at the aquarium yesterday.' This past tense sentence communicates that the action has already been completed in the past.
In writing, verb tense consistency is crucial as it helps the reader understand when actions take place. Using different tenses within a text or sentence without a clear reason can confuse the reader. When writing about historical events or prior studies, the past tense is appropriate, whereas present tense is often used when discussing literary works or current theories.
Using the correct verb tense is an essential part of descriptive writing and enables the writer to distinguish between events that are happening now (present tense) and those that have already occurred (past tense).