Some easy question.can you help me?

Question

The problem was first noticed several years ago ,when a small number of students were found to be addicted to the Internet.The number has risen dreamatically in recent years,and it is estimated that approximately one in ten students suffers from this obsession.

1.The first sentence was written in present tense.Why?

Answer 1

Have you thought of remedial English?

What in the world are they doing with all of that money we spend on education?

Answer 2

The first sentence is written in the past. "was first noticed" and "were found" are in the past tense. If it were in the present it would be "is first noticed" and "are found."

Answer 3

if we talk about "general fact" ,even in the past the tense, we have to use present  

Answer 4

No, the first sentence is in past tense, I think

Answer 5

because it's passive voice

Answer 6

It is in the past tense - if it's considered to be in the present, it is only because the problem we are talking about is in the present - it is still happening.