Revision of the tenses of the 3rd year

1. Explanation extra level-based exercises

2. Overview of the tenses
• Present simple
• Present continuous
• Past simple
• Past continuous
• Present perfect simple
• Present perfect continuous

(The future tenses will be revised later on)

3. Extra level-based exercises

1. Explanation extra level-based exercises

1. How to get better at the English tenses you have learned so far?

Exercise, exercise, exercise… We cannot stress this enough. The more you practice
the English tenses, the more you will be able to use them correctly in everyday life
over time.

2. Plan of action

1) Based on the result of your diagnostic grammar test, you were divided
into levels.

result: ≤60% result: 61-79 % result: ≥80%

level Blue Yellow Red

In a few weeks, we will do a big grammar test (tussendoelen) of all the

tenses you have learned so far. This way, you will get a chance to level up.

Opgelet: We willen hierbij benadrukken dat we niet verwachten dat jij 80%
haalt op een echte toets of taaltaak. Het resultaat van je diagnostische toets
zegt ons iets over het niveau van de oefeningen die jij nodig hebt om je
Engels te verbeteren. Een diagnostische toets heeft een andere waarde dan
een test of een taaltaak.

2) Based on your level, we recommend you to do extra exercises to work on

your grammatical weaknesses:

• BLUE LEVEL: order of exercises: Blue – Yellow – Red

For every tense, you start with the blue exercises and you put the
overview of the tenses next to you. Your teacher is always
available for help and will do the exercises with you if necessary.

Every time you have completed an exercise, you correct it with the
correction key on Smartschool. As soon as you have a score of 80%
(or more)* on a blue exercise of the first part (present simple), you
move on with the yellow exercises of the second part (present
continuous).**

When you are finished with the yellow exercises of the first part,
you move on to the blue exercises of the second part. You continue
doing this until you have finished all the yellow exercises of the
worksheets.

When you are done with the yellow exercises, you move on to the
red exercises.

! Please note that in order to pass the big grammar test, you have
to be able to do the red exercises as well.
 * 80% = for example a maximum of 2 mistakes (or more –
depending on the amount of verbs you have to fill in)
**Nevertheless, we recommend you to do all the blue exercises
when you are preparing yourself for the big grammar test.

• YELLOW LEVEL: order of exercises: Yellow – Red

For every tense, you start with the yellow exercises. When you
have finished all the yellow exercises of the worksheets, you
continue with the red exercises.

You do these exercises on your own and you can the overview of
the tenses if need be. If you want, you can ask the other “yellow
students” for help.

! Please note that in order to pass the big grammar test, you have
to be able to do the red exercises as well.

• RED LEVEL: order of exercises: Red – study for the test

You immediately start with the red exercises of the worksheets.

You do these exercises completely independently. When you are
finished with the red exercises, you start studying for the big
grammar test.

3) When you are finished, you correct the exercises you have made with the
correction key on Smartschool.
 1. Overview of the tenses

Tense Form Use Example sentences

Present simple • Regular form: 1. Characteristic 1. English people drink lots of tea.
= it is true now / °Infinitive -to 2. Routines, hobbies or habits* 2. She usually eats lunch at 12
action in the present °3rd person singular: + s 3. Facts / general truths o’clock.
• Exceptions 4. Series of actions 3. Water boils at 100 °C.
4. He wakes up and has a shower.
I work = “ik werk” → stress on action as a whole and
not the duration

* put the adverbs of frequency

(always, often, never, usually, * I always drink a glass of milk for
generally, …) before the main verb breakfast.
and after the auxiliary verb. Jane doesn’t often learn her lessons.

• Negative form:
°do not / don’t + infinitive • Negative form:
°does not / doesn’t + infinitive - She usually doesn’t/does not eat
to lunch at 12 o’clock.
• Questions: do / does + subject • Questions:
+ infinitive - to Do English people drink lots of
tea? What does he usually do
after he wakes up?
Present • Regular 1. An action that is going on at 1. I am working at the moment.
continuous form: present the moment of speaking 2. Those mosquitoes are always
= it is going on now simple of to be 2. To express irritation stinging me!
+ ing-form
• Exceptions: → stress on the duration of the
action
I am working = “ik
ben aan het werken” → typical signal words: right now, at
the moment, while, …

• Negative • Negative form:

form: I am not/’m not working at the
present simple of to be + not + moment.
ing-form • Questions:
• Questions: Are you working at the moment?
present simple of to be + Why are those mosquitos always
subject + ing-form stinging me?
Past simple • Regular form: 1. An action in the past (that is 1. I went to the cinema yesterday.
= it is over Infinitive (-to) + ed completely over now) 2. When I was only a boy, I wasn’t
2. Characteristic sporty at all.
3. Fact 3. Leonardo Da Vinci painted the
I worked = “ik 4. Habits, routines, hobbies Mona Lisa.
werkte” 5. A series of actions (one action 4. Before he was married, John
after another in a story) went to the pub every night. / I
6. An interruption to a loved playing videogames and
background action. was a real couch potato.
5. He sat down and ordered a
→ stress on action as a whole and coffee.
not the duration 6. She was dancing with her
→ typical signal words: yesterday, husband and then she broke the
then, five minutes ago, last month, … heel of her shoe.
• Exceptions: irregular verbs
list !!!
• Negative form: • Negative form:
did not / didn’t + infinitive (- I didn’t/did not go to the cinema
to) yesterday.
• Questions: • Questions:
did + subject + infinitive (- to) Did Leonardo Da Vinci paint the
Mona Lisa?
What did you like to do when you
were young?
Past continuous • Regular form: 1. An action that was going on at 1. I was washing the dishes.
= it was going on in past simple of to be + ing-form some time in the past 2. My husband and I were
the past • Exceptions: see present 2. Two or more actions going on watching TV and our children
continuous at the same time in the past were doing their homework.
3. Action in the past that is a 3. I was walking to the station
background action (longer when I met John. / The reporter
I was working = “ik
action) to a second action is standing by downtown to find
was aan het werken” (short action) → signal out what people were doing
words: when, while, … when the lights went out.

→ stress on the duration of the

action

• Negative form:
°was not / wasn’t + ing-form • Negative form:
°were not / weren’t + ing-form We weren’t/were not watching
• Questions: TV.
past simple of to be + subject + • Questions:
ing-form Were you watching TV?
What were they doing when the
lights went out?
Present perfect • Regular form: 1. An action that started in the 1. °I have twisted my ankle.
simple have / has + past participle (= past with a result in the (result: I can’t stand on it.)
= started in the past infinitive + ed) present (The action is usually °They have had an argument.
and continues up to • Exceptions: irregular verbs finished, but may still be (result: they don’t speak to each
list !!! going on). other.)
now
• Negative form: → typical signal words: °I have worked on the project
°have not / haven’t + past already, always, often, this week.
participle recently, lately, ever, yet, just, °Kate hasn’t/has not brushed
I have worked = “ik °has not / hasn’t + past up till now, so far, today, this her teeth today.
heb gewerkt” participle morning, for, since … °I haven’t/have not been to
• Questions: Switzerland yet.
have / has + subject + past ° For indicates the duration of °Dad has already taken the dog
participle an action. for a walk.
° Since indicates the beginning °Have you ever been to New
of an action. York?
°Why haven’t you finished your
→ stress on the action as a whole work?
and not on the duration °They have lived here for 20
years.
°I have worked in Hove since
2020.
Present perfect • Regular form: 1. An action that started in the 1. °I have been living in London
continuous have/has + been+ ing-form past and that continues up to since I was born. (unfinished: I
= started in the past • Exceptions: see present now (The action has been still live in London)
and continues up to continuous going on for some time and is °They have been playing
• Negative form: usually unfinished). football all afternoon. (result:
now + has been
°have not / haven’t + been + 2. This tense is often used with they are tired now)
going on for some ing-form action verbs: e.g. to work, to °I have been travelling
time °has not / hasn’t + been + ing- read, to call, to play, … through Europe for months now.
form → For non-action verbs, the °Has dad been painting all
I have been working However, the present perfect present perfect simple is week?
= “Ik was aan het simple will mostly be used in used (e.g. to see, to be, to °We haven’t been planting
werken” / “Ik heb negative sentences! know, …) those big trees, we have been
gewerkt” working with the small ones.
• Questions: → stress on the duration of the °What have you been working
have / has + subject + been + action on?
ING -form
→ typical signal words:
°For indicates the duration of an
action.
°Since indicates the beginning of an
action.
°How long, all morning, all afternoon

Irregular verbs Study the irregular verbs list !

→ Grammar Guide: pp. 54-58
→ OR: find the list on Smartschool
Present simple Past simple Present perfect simple

Present continuous Past continuous Present perfect continuous

 Present simple

1) Conjugate the verbs between brackets in the present simple.

1. She ________ (to go) shopping with my brother.

2. We sometimes ________ (to use) a dictionary in class.
3. My friend ________ (to study) Italian at her school.
4. School ________ (to finish) at three o´clock.
5. You ________ (to live) near me.
6. He ________(to like) rap music.
7. She ________ (to do) her homework before dinner.
8. We ________ (to play) tennis in school on Wednesday afternoon.
9. My father ________ (watch) TV in the evening.
10. My mother ________ (teach) art.

2) Fill out the present simple.

1. My aunt __________ (to live) in America.

2. I ___________ (to stay up) late in the weekends.
3. Tom ___________ (often - to do) a lot of exercises.
4. My mum ___________ (always - to kiss) my dad before
she ___________ (to leave) for work.
5. Jane ___________ (sometimes - to forget) to lock the door when
she ___________ (to go) out.
6. Girls ___________ (usually - to love) shopping.
7. Lukaku ___________ (often - to score).
8. My mother ___________ (to wake up) me ___________ every morning.
9. Boys ___________ (usually - to like) watching football.
10. My dad ___________ (to work) in a bank.

3) Make the following sentences negative.

1. People from China speak Russian.

________________________________________________________________
2. My grandparents go to the disco every week.
________________________________________________________________
3. Tom likes Jerry.
________________________________________________________________
4. The neighbours buy a new car every year.
________________________________________________________________
5. I go to school on Saturday.
________________________________________________________________

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4) Make inversion questions. (yes/no questions)

1. you / to live / in Berlaar ?

________________________________________________________________
2. Tom / often / to do / a lot of exercises ?
________________________________________________________________
3. Jane / to brush / her teeth / every day ?
________________________________________________________________
4. the painters / to work / on Sundays ?
________________________________________________________________

5) Mixed exercise : make affirmative (+) or negative (-) statements or

inversion questions (?).

1. always / to go / in summer / you / to Spain (?)

________________________________________________________________
2. at 6 o’clock / to wake up / I / every morning (+)
________________________________________________________________
3. an English dictionary / to have / Lisa (-)
________________________________________________________________
4. often / my brother / his homework / to do (-)
________________________________________________________________
5. never / the baby / at night / to cry (+)
________________________________________________________________
6. they / in the evenings / sometimes / to be tired (?)
________________________________________________________________

Present continuous

1) Fill in the present continuous form of the verb between brackets.

1. You __________ (to use) my mobile phone!

2. My dad __________ (to wash) his car.

3. It __________ (not to rain) today.

4. Who __________ (she / to chat) to now?

5. What __________ (you / to do) at the moment?

6. We __________ (to sit) on the train.

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7. The students __________ (to have) lunch in the canteen.

2) Make the following sentences negative.

1. (I / not / to sleep)
_______________________________________________________________
2. (she / not / to work in Spain)
_______________________________________________________________
3. (he / not / to wait for the bus)
_______________________________________________________________
4. (we / not / to go to the cinema tonight)
_______________________________________________________________
5. (you / not / to read the newspaper)
_______________________________________________________________

3) Make present continuous questions (yes / no and ‘wh’).

1. (you / to eat / cake?)

________________________________________________________________
2. (what time / you / to go to the cinema?)
________________________________________________________________
3. (why / you / to study?)
________________________________________________________________
4. (when / you / to leave?)
________________________________________________________________
5. (you / to smoke?)
________________________________________________________________
6. (he / to play / tennis later?)
________________________________________________________________
7. (you / to go / shopping at the weekend?)
________________________________________________________________
8. (what / you / to drink now?)
________________________________________________________________

11
 Present simple or present continuous?

1) Put the verbs in brackets in the present simple or present continuous.

1. We ___________ (to need) to wait. I ___________ (not to know) for how

long.
2. I ___________ (not to like) this dress. I ___________ (to prefer) that one.
3. I ___________ (not to understand) what that ___________ (to mean). Can
you explain it?
4. Janet ___________ (to be) single. She ___________ (not to see) anyone at
the moment.
5. Tom ___________ (to think) of emigrating to Australia.
6. Right now, I ___________ (not to see) a problem. I ___________ (to think)
everything is fine.
7. Why ___________ (she – to be) here? I ___________ (not to remember)
inviting her.
8. I ___________ (to see) that you ___________ (to be) very busy at the
moment. I'll come back later.
9. Don't use this tool. It ___________ (to seem) to be broken.
10. ___________ (you – to realise) what that ___________ (to mean)?
11. You ___________ (to be) normally a very polite person. Why ___________
(you – to be) so rude right now?
12. Josh ___________ (to love) Alice. Unfortunately, Alice ___________ (not to
think) much of him.

2) Put the verbs in brackets in the present simple or present continuous.

1. He ___________ the soap because he likes the smell of roses. (to smell)

2. That food ___________ delicious. (to taste)

3. How much ______________________ ? (those apples – to weigh)

4. I ___________ they will be late. They probably got stuck in the traffic. (to
expect)

5. That dress ___________ you perfectly. You ___________ great. (to fit, to
look)

6. I ___________ of buying a new car. My old one always keeps breaking

down. (to think)

7. What ___________ at ? - The sky. - It ___________ as if it's going to

rain. (you – to look, to look)

8. I usually ___________ parties but I ___________ this one. Everything is so

boring. (to enjoy, not to enjoy)

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9. I ___________ what you mean. (to see)

10. Jim is a sensible person, but in this case he ___________ foolishly. (to
behave)

11. He ___________ a shower at the moment . You can't disturb him. (to have)

12. My parents ___________ from Spain. Where ___________ from ? (to come,
your parents – to come)

3) Put the verbs in brackets in the present simple or present continuous.

1. I'm in Paris because I ___________ French at a language school. (to study)

2. At the moment Cynthia ___________ on the floor with her doll. (to lie)

3. I usually ___________ as a secretary. (to work)

4. I hate living in Seattle because it always ___________ there. (to rain)

5. I am sorry I can't hear what you ___________ because

everyone ___________ so loudly. (to say, to talk)

6. Jack ___________ about his adventures in Tibet. (currently – to write)

7. Look, I ___________ two tickets for the circus. (to have)

8. Look, I ___________ two tickets for the circus. (to hold)

9. Compaq ___________ computers but it ___________ cars. (to make, not to

make)

10. At the moment , the yen ___________ against the dollar. (to fall)

11. Computers ___________ more and more popular these days. (to become)

12. Everybody ___________ money. It is very important. (to need)

13. This milk ___________ fresh. (not to taste)

14. How is your cold today. It ___________ a lot better than yesterday. (to
sound)

15. She normally ___________ all the Harry Potter books, but right now
I ___________ she ___________ something else. (to read, to think, to read)

16. It is strange that people ___________ some movies so seriously. (to take)

17. What ______________________ for a living? - Well he is a market

consultant. (your dad – to do)

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4) Complete the questions below using the present simple or present
continuous.

1. You / often / to wear / jeans?

_______________________________________________________________
2. You / to wear / jeans / right now?
________________________________________________________________
3. It / often / to rain / in your country?
________________________________________________________________
4. It / to rain / at the moment?
________________________________________________________________
5. You / ever / to work / on Saturdays?
________________________________________________________________
6. You / to work / today?
________________________________________________________________

Past simple

1) Put the verbs in the past simple.

Last year I ___________ (to go) to England on holiday. It ___________ (to be)
fantastic. I ___________ (to visit) lots of interesting places. I ___________ (to
be) with two friends of mine. In the mornings we ___________ (to walk) in the
streets of London. In the evenings we ___________ (to go) to pubs. The
weather ___________ (to be) strangely fine. We also ___________ (to go) to
The National History Museum. I ___________ (to see) a lot of interesting things
there. When we ___________ (to leave) the museum, something very
unfortunate ___________ (to happen) to my friend. She was robbed by a
robber. We immediately ___________ (to go) to the police. The police
___________ (to capture) him the very next day using camera footage from
some street camera’s. My friend ___________ (to retrieve) her stolen stuff
afterwards.

2) Make the past simple negative.

1. (I / not / to go out last night)

_______________________________________________________________

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2. (you / not / to come to the party)
_______________________________________________________________
3. (she / not / to love chocolate as a child)
_______________________________________________________________
4. (he / not / to like sport)
_______________________________________________________________
5. (we / not / to study for the exam)
_______________________________________________________________

3) Make past simple ‘yes / no’ or ‘wh’ questions.

1. (John / to be / at the party?)

________________________________________________________________
2. (you / to be / tired yesterday?)
________________________________________________________________
3. (where / you / to be?)
________________________________________________________________
4. (what / that noise / to be?)
________________________________________________________________
5. (who / that man / to be?)
________________________________________________________________

4) Complete the grid in the past simple.

Positive Negative Questions

He wrote a book.

He did not sing

Was she pretty?

He did not work

Did I drop my books?

5) Put the verbs in the past simple.

1. ___________ you ___________ the door? (to close)

2. ___________ Clair ___________ the housework? (to finish)

15
3. ___________ he ___________ a bath yesterday? (to have)
4. ___________ the boy ___________ into the lake? (to jump)
5. ___________ Ronald ___________ the Tower of London? (to visit)
6. ___________ Peggy and Olivia ___________ after the baby yesterday? (to
look)
7. ___________ she ___________ the invitation cards herself? (to make)
8. ___________ the girl ___________ the ketchup bottle? (to drop)
9. ___________ Tim ___________ the green T-shirt last Monday? (to buy)
10. ___________ they ___________ karate this morning? (to practise)

6) Put the irregular verbs in the past simple.

1. She _________________ (to bring) some chocolates to the party.
2. I _________________ (to hear) a new song on the radio.
3. I _________________ (to read) three books last week.
4. They _________________ (not to speak) French to the waitress.
5. He _________________ (to understand) it during the class, but now he
doesn't understand.
6. I _________________ (not to forget) to buy some milk.
7. She _________________ (to have) a baby in June.
8. I _________________ (to give) my mother a CD for Christmas.
9. At the age of 23, she _________________ (to become) a doctor.
10. I _________________ (not to know) the answer yesterday.
11. You _________________ (to lose) your keys last week.
12. They _________________ (to swim) 500m.
13. He _________________ (not to tell) me that he lived in Toronto.
14. We _________________ (to lend) John £200.
15. She _________________ (to drink) too much coffee yesterday.
16. The children _________________ (to sleep) in the car.
17. He _________________ (not to keep) his promise.
18. I _________________ (to choose) the steak for dinner.
19. The film _________________ (to begin) late.
20. We _________________ (to fly) to Sydney.
21. They _________________ (to drive) to Beijing.
22. He _________________ (to teach) English at the University.
23. I _________________ (to send) you an e-mail earlier.

16
24. We _________________ (to leave) the house at 7 a.m..
25. He _________________ (to feel) terrible after eating the prawns.

Past continuous

1) Make affirmative (= positive) past continuous tenses.

1. (Julie / to sleep at three o’clock)
________________________________________________________________
2. (you / to study at three o’clock)
________________________________________________________________
3. (Luke / to read at three o’clock)
________________________________________________________________
4. (I / to work at three o’clock)
________________________________________________________________
5. (they / to eat chocolate at three o’clock)
________________________________________________________________

2) Make negative past continuous tenses.

1. (Mrs. Brown / not / to walk in the garden when the murder happened)
_______________________________________________________________
2. (Mr. Black / not / to work in his study when the murder happened)
_______________________________________________________________
3. (Miss Jones / not / to talk to Mr. White when the murder happened)
_______________________________________________________________
4. (you / not / to play cards when the murder happened)
_______________________________________________________________
5. (Dr. Ford / not / to read in his room when the murder happened)
_______________________________________________________________
3) Make past continuous ‘yes / no’ questions.
When you arrived at the party...
1. (Alan / to dance?)

2. (Susie / to drink gin?)

_______________________________________________________________
3. (John and Ann / to sing?)

17
_______________________________________________________________
4. (Luke / to talk to the girls?)
_______________________________________________________________
5. (Jodie / to put on make-up?)
_______________________________________________________________

4) Make past continuous ‘wh’ questions.

When I saw you and Lucy last night…
1. (where / you / to go?)
_______________________________________________________________
2. (what / you / to do?)
_______________________________________________________________
3. (who / you / to meet?)
_______________________________________________________________
4. (why / Lucy / to smoke?)
_______________________________________________________________
5. (how / Lucy / to feel?)
_______________________________________________________________

Past simple or past continuous?

1) Fill in the correct form of the past tense: past simple or past
continuous.

1. He ___________ when we ___________. (to sleep, to arrive)

2. When you ___________ in I ___________ my report. (to come, to write)

3. The car ___________ 100 km an hour when the accident ___________. (to
drive, to happen)

4. When the lights ___________ out, I ___________ (to go, to shave)

5. He ___________ at 9 o'clock. (still – to sleep)

6. While Jack ___________, Martha ___________ outside. (to study, to play)

7. They ___________ tennis when it ___________ to rain. (to play, to start)

8. While you were at work we ___________. (to sleep)

18
9. What ___________ when you heard the news ? (you – to do)

10. I ___________ anything when the reporter called me. (not to do)

11. He ___________ to town when his car ___________ down. (to drive, to
break)

12. The postman came just as I ___________ the house. (to leave)

13. At nine o'clock last night I ___________ a book. (to read)

14. When my father ___________ the room I ___________ a cigarette. (to

enter, to smoke)

2) Fill in the correct form of the past tense: past simple or past
continuous.

1. My brother ___________ (to drink) while he ___________ (to do) his

homework.

2. He ___________ (to walk) into the classroom, then he ___________ (to sit)
down.

3. Harry ___________ (to sing) a song when Jane ___________ (to come) in.

4. Nothing ___________ (to happen) when I turned on the radio.

5. It ___________ (to start) to rain while I ___________ (to walk) through the
park.

6. Jackie ___________ (to listen) to the radio when the

doorbell ___________ (to ring).

7. He ___________ (to find) some money when he ___________ (to clean) the
cupboards.

8. He ___________ (to see) the accident when he ___________ (to drive) home
from work.

9. While Jimmy ___________ (to tell) a joke his teacher ……………………….. (to
walk) in.

10. The Smiths ___________ (to fly) to Italy yesterday.

11. It ___________ (to begin) to snow while we ___________ (to play) football.

12. They ___________ (to live) in Portugal when the earthquake

___________ (to happen).

19
3) Fill in the correct form of the past tense: past simple or past
continuous.

1. The lights ___________ out as we ___________ the plans for the wedding.
(to go, to discuss)

2. I ___________ on a road in the mountains when I ___________ out of petrol.

(to drive, to run)

3. "What ___________ between 5 and 7 yesterday afternoon? (you – to do) -

I ___________ in the Red Lion Pub with a lot of other people. (to sit)

4. The singer ___________ his best hits while the fans ___________ over the
fence. (to sing, to climb)

5. While the woman ___________ into the bus, the driver ___________
suddenly. (to get, to move)

6. When ___________ that the train ___________ into the opposite direction ?
(you – to realise, to go)

7. That's terrible ! A four year old boy ___________ from a bridge while
he ___________ after his dog. (to fall, to run)

8. This morning while I ___________ past the supermarket

I ___________ something strange hanging from the roof. (to walk, to notice)

9. We ___________ out because it ___________. (not to go, to rain)

10. When Betty ___________, Ann and Jane ___________ a cup of tea. (to
arrive, just – to have)

4) Fill in the correct form of the past tense: past simple or past
continuous.

1. They ___________ (to watch) a film in the cinema so they ___________ (not
to realise) it ___________ (not to snow) outside.

2. I ___________ (to work) in a school in Prague when I ___________ (to

meet) my boyfriend.

3. My sister ___________ (to arrive) just as I ___________ (to cook) some

lunch.

4. I ___________ (to know) I wanted to marry him the first time

I ___________ (to meet) him.

5. He ___________ (not to break) his arm while he ___________ (to play)

rugby. He ___________ (to fall) down the stairs.

20
6. When I ___________ (to be) a child I ___________ (to like) swimming.

7. I ___________ (to check) on the children and both of them ___________ (to
sleep).

8. The phone rang while I ___________ (to listen) to my MP3 player and
I ___________ (not to hear) it.

9. I think I ___________ (to see) you yesterday in the station. ___________

(you – to wear) a blue suit ?

5) Fill in the correct form of the past tense: past simple or past
continuous. All verbs are irregular!

1. He ___________ home at 7 in the morning. (to leave)

2. She ___________ the rooms last Friday. (to sweep)

3. He ___________ to work by bus . (to go)

4. We all ___________ lunch at noon. (to eat)

5. He ___________ houses for a living. (to build)

6. They ___________ a lot of money for players last year. (to spend)

7. I always ___________ in the morning before work. (to run)

8. She ___________ fluently when we ___________. (to speak, to meet)

9. The burglar ___________ things from the house. (to steal)

10. She ___________ me an email. (to write)

11. I ___________ a lot when I was young. (to read)

12. They ___________ some wonderful songs together. (to sing)

13. They ___________ the presents for the party. (to choose)

14. He ___________ very ill. (to feel)

6) Fill in the correct form of the past tense: past simple or past
continuous. All verbs are irregular!

1. The last lesson ___________ at 8 o'clock. (to begin)

2. Joe ___________ ill after he had his lunch. (to feel)

3. A bird suddenly ___________ into the window. (to fly)

21
4. I think you ___________ the wrong thing. (to do)

5. We ___________ the answer at once. (to know)

6. The students ___________ up when the teacher entered the room. (to stand)

7. It was cold, so I ___________ two pullovers. (to wear)

8. Jackie ___________ us the time. (to tell)

9. After breakfast she ___________ the newspaper. (to read)

10. I ___________ out about the event later. (to find)

7) Use the correct past tense to complete the story about the ant and
the grasshopper.

It ___________ (to seem) like a perfect day and the grasshopper ___________
(to feel) in a good mood. He ___________ ___________ (to sing and dance)
around. Suddenly, he ___________ (to see) an ant that ___________ (to
carry) corn to its nest. The grasshopper ___________ (to ask) the ant to join
him for some fun, instead of working so hard. But, the ant ___________ (to
tell) him that it ___________ (to prepare) for winter when food would be
scarce. The grasshopper ___________ (to think) that was stupid and
___________ (to say): ‘Why bother when the present is good?’. Winter soon
___________ (to begin), and the grasshopper had no food to survive. The ants
on the other hand, ___________ (to enjoy) the corn in the warmth of their
nest throughout the winter.

8) Fill in the correct form of the past tense: past simple or past
continuous.
1. The weather was bad as I ___________ in a queue for the cinema -
It ___________ heavily and a cold wind ___________ (to stand, to rain, to
blow)
2. They ___________ in the fields when they ___________ a UFO flying over
their heads (to play, to see)
3. The earthquake ___________ the region at three in the morning. Many
inhabitants ___________ in their houses. (to hit, to sleep)
4. When they ___________ the car two years ago a doctor ___________ it (to
buy, to own)
5. Linda and John ___________ the car when it ___________ to rain.
They ___________ everything away and ___________ into the house where
mother ___________ cookies. (to wash, to start, to put, to run, just – to make)

6. I haven't seen Andy for ages. When I last ___________ him he ___________
for a job somewhere in London. (to meet, to look)

22
7. Yesterday when I ___________ home from school, a man ___________ out
on the road. Luckily I ___________ very fast, so I managed to stop in time
and ___________ him. (to cycle, to step, not to go, not to hit)
8. ______________________ Carol at the party last night ? - Yes
she ___________ that wonderful dress she ___________ in Paris. (you – to
meet, to wear, to buy)
9. The car ___________ strange noises all the way home. (to make)
10. Simon ___________ an ice cream and then he ___________ home (to buy,
to go)

9) Fill in the gaps with the correct verb form: past simple or past
continuous.

Everyone ___________ (to think) that Gulf Breeze in the USA was an ordinary,
quiet little town until 11 November 1977. Two friends, Ed Walters and Charlie
Bennett, ___________ (to report) a very strange incident. At first
nobody ___________ (to believe) their story, but even today, both
Charlie and Ed claim that the incident really ___________ (to
happen).

Here is a part of the interview.

It ___________ (to be) seven o'clock in the evening. My friend Charlie and
I ___________ (to walk) through the park. We were on our way home.
We ___________ (to talk) and ___________ (to laugh). Suddenly the
sky ___________ (to go) very dark. Charlie ___________ (to look) up and said,
'It's going to rain'. Then I ___________ (to hear) a loud bang and the
sky ___________ (to go) bright green. I thought I ___________ (to dream).
There was a huge, shiny spaceship just above our heads. It ___________ (not to
move). It ___________ (to pull) us off the ground. Seconds later we were inside
it. Twenty strange creatures ___________ (to look) at us. They all ___________
(to have) wrinkled skin and hands like pincers. They ___________ (not to hurt)
us. They ___________ (to smile) and they seemed very friendly. I don't know
how long we ___________ (to be) in space, but I think the
spaceship ___________ (to move).

Suddenly the door ___________ (to open) underneath us. We ___________ (to
fall) out of the spaceship onto the ground. We were back in the park again.
Charlie and I just ___________ (to stare) at each other. We ___________ (to
shake) because we were so scared. Then we ___________ (to run) home as fast
as we could. That's all Charlie and I can remember. I know it sounds crazy but
it's the truth. On 11 November 1982, exactly five years after the kidnapping,
more strange things ___________ (to happen) in Gulf Breeze.
Cars ___________ (to disappear), cats started to fly and several
people ___________ (to see) spaceships in the sky.

23
 Present perfect simple

1) Fill in the correct form of the present perfect simple.

1. One can see through the windows again. Jane  ______________ (to
clean)  them.
2. We can watch the film now. Michael ______________ (to connect)  the DVD
player.
3. The room looks much nicer now. I ______________ (to hang)  up some
pictures.
4. I am not hungry. I ______________ (to eat / already) something.
5. Can I go outside? I ______________ (to do) my homework.
6. I ______________ (to eat / not) anything since two o'clock.
7. I ______________ (not / to work) today.
8. We ______________ (to buy) a new lamp.
9. We ______________ (not / to plan) our holiday yet.
10. Where ______________ (to be / you) ?
11. He ______________ (to write) five letters.
12. She ______________ (not / to see) him for a long time.
13. ______________ (to be / you) at school?
14. School ______________ (not / to start) yet.
15. ______________ (to speak / he) to his boss?
16. No, he ______________ (to have / not) the time yet.

2) Make negative present perfect sentences:

1. (We / not / to go / to Paris)

_______________________________________________________________
2. (She / not / to see / ‘The Lord of the Rings’)
_______________________________________________________________
3. (He / not / to meet / my mother)
_______________________________________________________________
4. (They / not / to visit / St. Paul’s)
_______________________________________________________________
5. (I / not / to know / him for three months)

24
_______________________________________________________________
6. (You / not / to study / French for ten years)
_______________________________________________________________
7. (They / not / to be / in London for six months)
_______________________________________________________________
8. (He / not / to hurt / his leg)
_______________________________________________________________
9. (She / not / to leave / her phone in a taxi)
_______________________________________________________________
10. (We / not / to lose / our tickets)
_______________________________________________________________

3) Make ‘yes / no’ or ‘wh’ questions in the present perfect simple.

1. (They / to go / to the USA?)

_______________________________________________________________
2. (You / to read / ‘War and Peace’?)
_______________________________________________________________
3. (She / to be / late for a meeting?)
_______________________________________________________________
4. (He / to meet / your family yet?)
_______________________________________________________________
5. (They / to live / here as long as we have?)
_______________________________________________________________
6. (How long / she / to live in London?)
_______________________________________________________________
7. (Where / you / to be?)
_______________________________________________________________
8. (What / you / to do today?)
_______________________________________________________________
9. (Why / you / to bring that?)
_______________________________________________________________
10. (How much food / you / to buy?)
_______________________________________________________________

25
4) Fill in the correct form of the present perfect (all the verbs are
irregular!).

1. We _____________________ (to have / already) lunch.

2. They _____________________ (to begin) painting the living room.
3. We _____________________ (to keep) this secret for three years.
4. He _____________________ (to drive / never) a motorbike before.
5. I _____________________ (to be) sick all week.
6. “Are you okay?” “ I _____________________ (to feel) better.”
7. I've been looking for ages, but I _____________________ (not to find) my
keys yet.
8. The birds _____________________ (to fly) south for the winter.
9. She _____________________ (to come / finally).
10. Don't worry, we _____________________ (not to forget) about the
meeting.
11. You _____________________ (to buy) a lot of new clothes recently.
12. __________________________________________ (to choose / you) your
university yet?
13. _____________________ (to drink / you / ever) Turkish coffee?
14. I _____________________ (to give) some money to Julia.
15. She _____________________ (to know) about the problem for three
months.
16. Why __________________________________ (John - to leave - already)?
17. She _____________________ (to let / never) her daughter have a
boyfriend.
18. __________________________________________ (to read / you /
already) today's newspaper?
19. He _____________________ (to lose) his wallet again.
20. I _____________________ (to write) three essays this week.
21. I _____________________ (to see / never) such a beautiful view.
22. He _____________________ (to teach) hundreds of students during his
career.
23. __________________________________________ (to meet / you / ever) a
famous person?
24. They _____________________ (to send) Christmas cards to all their
friends.

26
25. __________________________________________ (where / to put / we)
the car keys?
26. We _____________________ (to sing / never) in public before.
27. _____________________ (why / to stand / you) up? Are we leaving?
28. _____________________ (to swim / you / ever) in the Atlantic Ocean?
29. I _____________________ (to say / never) that I didn't love you.
30. I'm sorry I'm so tired. I _____________________ (not to sleep).
31. _____________________ (to think / you) about changing jobs?

Past simple or present perfect simple?

1) Fill in the correct form of the past simple or the present perfect
simple.

1. Last night, I __________________ (to lose) my keys – I had to call my

flatmate to let me in.
2. I __________________ (to lose) my keys – can you help me look for them?
3. I __________________ (to visit) Paris three times.
4. Last year I __________________ (to visit) Paris.
5. I __________________ (to know) my great grandmother for a few years -
she died when I was eight.
6. I __________________ (to know) Julie for three years – we still meet once a
month.
7. I __________________ (to play) hockey since I was a child – I’m pretty
good!
8. She __________________ (to play) hockey at school, but she
__________________ (not to like) it.
9. Sorry, I __________________ (to miss) the bus, so I’m going to be late.
10. I __________________ (to miss) the bus, and then I __________________
(to miss) the airplane as well!
11. Last month I __________________ (to go) to Scotland.
12. I’m sorry, John isn’t here now. He __________________ (to go) to the
shops.
13. We __________________ (to finish) this room last week.
14. I __________________ (to finish - finally) my exams – I’m so happy!

27
15. Yesterday, I __________________ (to see) all my friends. It was great.
16. I __________________ (to see) Julie three times this week!
17. She __________________ (to live) in London since 1994.
18. She __________________ (to live) in London when she was a child.
19. I __________________ (to drink) three cups of coffee this morning.
20. I __________________ (to drink) seven cups of coffee yesterday.

2) Fill in the correct form of the past simple or the present perfect
simple.

1. I _________________ (to see) three police cars this morning (it’s still
morning).
2. After he _________________ (to arrive) home, he _________________
(to unpack) and _________________ (to go) to bed early.
3. A: What’s wrong?
B: I _________________ (to break) a glass!
4. My grandparents only _________________ (to know) each other for a few
months before they _________________ (to get) married.
5. I _________________ (to be) in London for three years. I love it here.
6. We _________________ (to see) Julie last night.
7. He _________________ (to be) a teacher before he _________________
(to become) a musician.
8. When the boss _________________ (to walk) into the room, we
_________________ (to know) someone was going to get fired.
9. The children _________________ (to break) a window in the school last
week.
10. He _________________ (to see) that film last year.
11. Lucy _________________ (to break) her leg, so she can’t come skiing.
12. Julie _________________ (to arrive)! Come and say hello!
13. They _________________ (to be) cold when they _________________ (to
arrive) home.
14. Jack _________________ (to break) his arm when he _________________
(to fall) off a horse in 2005.
15. I _________________ (to know) about the problem for months, but I
_________________ (not to find) a solution yet.

28
16. A: When _________________ (you / to arrive)?
B: At 10pm last night.
17. She _________________ (to be) a teacher for ten years, and she still enjoys
it.
18. How long _________________ (you / to know) Jill? I know you see her
often.
19. I _________________ (to see) the sea before.
20. A: Hello
B: Hi Mum, it’s me. I just wanted to say I _________________ (to arrive)
safely and everything is fine.

3) Fill in the correct form of the past simple or the present perfect
simple.

1. We _________________ (to go) to the theatre last week.

2. Yesterday I _________________ (to have) dinner with a friend.
3. I _________________ (never / to taste) champagne.
4. When I _________________ (to be) a child, I _________________ (to love)
ice
skating.
5. I _________________ (not / to have) any coffee today – I feel very sleepy!
6. I _________________ (not / to drink) any coffee yesterday.
7. I _________________ (to read) all his books – I think he’s a wonderful
writer.
8. What _________________ (to do) at the weekend?
9. I_________________ (always / to love) tea – I drink it every day.
10. What subject _________________ (she / to study) at university?
11. John _________________ (to lose) his bus pass – can he borrow some
money?
12. How long _________________ (you / to know) Susie?
13. He _________________ (to be) married for ten years (but he got divorced).
14. _________________ (you / ever / to go) to Central Park in New York?
15. How many books _________________ (she / to write) so far?
16. He _________________ (to wash) the dishes, _________________ (to
clean) the living room and _________________ (to cook) dinner last night.
17. My great-grandfather never _________________ (to leave) Scotland.

29
18. She _________________ (to come) to London in 1997.
19. She _________________ (never / to see) snow before.
20. He _________________ (to be) married for thirty-five years (and he’s still
married now).

4) Fill in the correct form of the past simple or the present perfect
simple.

1. I ___________________ (never / to go) to Vienna.

2. My great grandfather ___________________ (to have) five sisters.
3. He ___________________ (to live) in Manila for a year when he was a
student.
4. Oh no! I ___________________ (to lose) my wallet!
5. ___________________ (you / to see) Julie today?
6. At the weekend, they ___________________ (to play) football, then they
___________________ (to go) to a restaurant.
7. I ___________________ (to read) six books this week.
8. Amy ___________________ (to live) in Portugal when she was young.
9. She ___________________ (to visit) her grandmother last month.
10. The Vandals ___________________ (to invade) Rome in the year 455.
11. She ___________________ (to live) in seven different countries, so she
knows a lot about different cultures.
12. I ___________________ (to go) to the cinema last night.
13. Ow! I ___________________ (to cut) my finger!
14. ___________________ (you / to see) ‘The King’s Speech’?
15. John ___________________ (never / to understand) the present perfect.
16. She ___________________ (to break) her leg the day before her exam.
17. We ___________________ (to see) Oliver yesterday.
18. He ___________________ (to be) here all morning.
19. They ___________________ (to live) here for many years.
20. King Henry the Eighth of England ___________________ (to have) six
wives.

30
 Present perfect continuous

1) Complete the sentences with the present perfect continuous.

1. She _______________________ (to work) here for five years.
2. I _______________________ (to study) all day.
3. She _______________________ (not / to study).
4. How long _______________________ (you / to live) here?
5. I _______________________ (not / to work) today.
6. They_______________________ (to learn) English for two years.
7. Where _______________________ (she / to buy) food?
8. She _______________________ (to go) to the cinema every weekend for
years.
9. They _______________________ (not / to live) here for very long.
10. _______________________ (he /to work) today?

2) Complete the sentences with the present perfect continuous.

1. You _______________________ (not / to eat) well recently.

2. What _______________________ (the child / to eat)?
3. We _______________________ (not / to exercise) enough.
4. You _______________________ (to eat) a lot recently.
5. You _______________________ (to sleep) for twelve hours.
6. _______________________ (I / to talk) a lot?
7. _______________________ (we / to eat) too much?
8. He _______________________ (to play) football, so he's tired.
9. We _______________________ (to live) in London for six months.
10. How long _______________________ (he / to work) in the bank?

Present perfect simple or present perfect continuous

1) Complete the sentences with the present perfect simple or the

present perfect continuous.

1. I _______________________ (not / to do) the housework yet.

31
2. They _______________________ (to study) very hard recently.
3. She _______________________ (to promise) to help many times.
4. He _______________________ (to clean) the kitchen. Everything is
sparkling clean.
5. She _______________________ (to write) her essay and
_______________________ (to send) it to her professor.
6. He _______________________ (to see) the film 'The King's Speech' about
six times.
7. I _______________________ (to paint) our living room. I think it looks a lot
better.
8. She _______________________ (to take) French lessons lately.
9. It _______________________ (not / to rain) for three hours! Only about
one hour.
10. Lucy _______________________ (to leave / already) .
11. How many times _______________________ (you / to visit) Scotland?
12. I _______________________ (to call) John for hours and hours and he
hasn't answered. I'm really angry with him!
13. I _______________________ (to be) in London for three years.
14. We _______________________ (to know) James for ages.
15. It's really smelly in here. _______________________ (somebody / to
smoke)?
16. How much petrol _______________________ (she / to buy)?
17. She _______________________ (to eat) chocolate all morning, so she feels
sick.
18. I _______________________ (to paint) my house all day, but it's not
finished yet.
19. Julie _______________________ (to be) at the office since 6am.
20. The writer _______________________ (to deserve) this award for a long
time.

2) Complete the sentences with the present perfect simple or the

present perfect continuous.

1. The earth _______________________ (to be) here for billions of years.

2. We _______________________ (to play) cards for the last few hours.

32
3. We ________________________ (to have) problems with our new car
recently.
4. ____________________________ (you / to work) on anything interesting
lately ?
5. Cuba ________________________ (to be) a socialist country since 1959.
6. I ________________________ (to take) care of my neighbour’s cats while
they are away.
7. I ________________________ (to have) my car for three years.
8. ________________________________ (the boxer / ever / to win) an
important fight?
9. John and Mary ________________________ (to quarrel) with each other
since the day they got married.
10. It ________________________ (to rain) hard since last night.
11. I’m tired because I ________________________ (not / to feel) well lately.
12. _________________________________ (your parents / always /
understand) your problems?
13. The patient ________________________ (to take) penicillin for several
days now.
14. A big earthquake ________________________ (not / to hit) San Francisco
since 1906.
15. They ___________________________ (to live) in San Francisco since they
arrived in the USA 20 years ago.
16. He got ill five weeks ago and ________________________ (not / to
recover) yet.
17. Everyone in the Middle East ________________________ (to worry) about
the situation for decades.
18. We ________________________ (to have) very cold weather this year.
19. Where ________________________ (you / to hide) the money?
20. At last, my favourite team ________________________ (to win) against its
most important rival.
21. Dad ________________________ (to have) a number of jobs in the last few
years.
22. The bank is still closed. It ________________________ (not / to open) yet.
23. Our daughter ___________________________ (to wear) lipstick since she
was 16.

33
24. She is angry because her boyfriend ________________________ (not / to
show up) yet and she ________________________ (to wait) for half an hour.
25. I’m still waiting for an answer. They ________________________ (not / to
make up) their minds yet.
26. How many times ________________________ (Kim / to feed) the cat
today?
27. The kids ________________________ (to get) on my nerves. They
________________________ (to make) too much noise.
28. My company ________________________ (to make) a lot of money in the
last few years. They ________________________ (to work) hard on an
important project.
29. They ________________________ (not / to deliver) our new refrigerator
yet, but they will any day now.

Mixed exercises: all tenses

1) Complete the sentences with the present simple, present continuous,

past simple, past continuous or present perfect simple.

A letter from Paris

Dear Julie,

As you know I ___________________ (to arrive) in Paris a week ago, but there
was a problem with my luggage. Unfortunately, it had been sent to Lisbon
instead of Paris. Yesterday, someone ___________________ (to call) me from
the airport to go there and pick them up. That's why
I ___________________ (not to be) at home when
you ___________________ (to phone). At the time, I ___________________
(to try) to find my suitcases among those which had arrived from Portugal.
It ___________________ (to take) me the whole afternoon to do that. Well, I'm
sure you want to know what's going on now in Paris.

The family who I ___________________ (to stay) with at the moment are very
nice. They treat me exactly like one of them. They ___________________ (to
introduce / already) me to all of their friends. I ___________________ (to
share) a room with the daughter of their family, who is about my age. Every
morning her mother ___________________ (to wake) us up with a cup of tea.
Herbie, Jane's father, is also a nice guy. He lets Jane and me do everything we

34
want. He even ___________________ (to allow) us to take his car when we
want to go somewhere.

Tomorrow will be my first day at language school and I am really looking forward
to it. They ___________________ (to tell) me to be there at 9 o'clock. I am
taking a placement test in the morning. I expect they will announce the results
by the end of the day. As soon as I learn how I did, I will give you a call. Well
that's all for now. Please write soon. I would really like to know
what ___________________ (to go) on a home.

Love, Claire

2) Complete the sentences with the present simple, present continuous,

past simple, past continuous or present perfect simple.

The stranger in the car

It ___________________ (to be) a stormy night just before Christmas. The

road ___________________ (to be) empty and there were no street lamps, so it
___________________ (to be) very dark. She ___________________ (to
drive) only for a short time, when suddenly she ___________________ (to
notice) a car following her, flashing its lights. She ___________________ (to
drive) faster, because once before she had been attacked on a lonely road. She
never forgot that incident.

The car behind her ___________________ (to be) still very close. In a panic,
she ___________________ (to reach) her house as the
car ___________________ (to try) to overtake her. In the driver's seat there
was a shadowy figure, waving his hands around wildly.
She ___________________ (to stop) the car, ___________________ (to jump)
out and ___________________ (to run) to the front door. The man in the other
car ___________________ (to leap) out and shouted "Wait !
I ___________________ (to try) to warn you. When you stopped on the
motorway someone ___________________ (to get) into the back of your car" .
The woman ___________________ (to look) around
and ___________________ (to see) a dark figure running away down the road.

3) Complete the sentences with the present simple, present continuous,

past simple, past continuous or present perfect simple.

Back from the holidays

George and Joan ___________________ (to live) in a small house in London.

Right now they ___________________ (to stand) in the sitting room of their

35
house. They ___________________ (just / to come) back from a holiday in the
country. They ___________________ (to arrive) at the house five minutes ago.

"What ___________________ (to happen) ?" said Joan, as

she ___________________ (to look) round at the untidy room.
"Someone ___________________ (to be) in the house.
They ___________________ (to take) everything out of the cupboards
and ___________________ (to throw) it on the floor. Look, George,
they ___________________ (to break) all those glasses
and ________________ (to pour) wine on the carpet. I think I’m going to cry."

George was very angry. He ___________________ (to pick up) the telephone.
"I ___________________ (to want) the police", he said.
"Someone ___________________ (to break) into our house while
we ___________________ (to be) away. I don’t know what
they ___________________ (to take). The place is very untidy."

" Look!" said Joan "They ___________________ (to leave) their gloves."

" ___________________ (not to pick up) them _____________, "said George.

" ___________________ (to leave everything for the police. When the police are
gone, you can tidy up."

4) Complete the sentences with the past simple, past continuous or

present perfect simple.

Going fishing

One beautiful morning, James ___________________ (to fish) in a river. The

sun ___________________ (to shine) and the young
boy ___________________ (to sit) on the river bank. Everything around
him ___________________ (to be) quiet and peaceful. James had been waiting
patiently the whole morning when suddenly he ___________________ (to
feel) something pulling his fishing line. Quickly, he ___________________ (to
stand up) and ___________________ (to begin) to pull in the line. There was a
huge fish on the line. As he ___________________ (to lift) it out of the water,
there was suddenly a splash and the fish ___________________ (to fall) back
into the river. James ___________________ (not to know) what had happened.
When he ___________________ (to look) at his fishing line he saw that it had
snapped. James was so sad that he ___________________ (to pack) his things
and ___________________ (to make) his way home .

36
5) Complete the sentences with the present simple, present continuous,
past simple, past continuous or present perfect simple.

1. How ___________________ at school (to get on / Peter) ?

2. John and Howard ___________________ (to have) a conversation at the
moment.
3. ___________________ here (to be / you / ever)? Yes,
I ___________________ (to be) here on holiday last year.
How ___________________ (to be) the weather? Well, to tell the truth,
it ___________________ (to rain) all the time.
4. Where ___________________ (to find / you) the knife? -
I ___________________ (to find / just) it in the garden.
5. We ___________________ (to live) here since 1979.
6. I ___________________ (to fly) over Loch Ness last
week. ___________________ (to see / you) the monster ?
7. But when I ___________________ (to leave) school
I ___________________ (to cut) my hair and ___________________ (to wear)
it short ever since.
8. I ___________________ (not to drink) whisky. Well, have some now.
9. When I ___________________ (to look) through your books,
I ___________________ (to notice) that you have a copy of Murder in the
Cathedral.
10. One day Jack ___________________ (to go) to town and
___________________ (to buy) an alarm clock because he
___________________ (to get up / never) in time.
11. The plane that you ___________________ (to look at)
now ___________________ (to take off / just) for Paris.

6) Complete the sentences with the present simple, present continuous,

past simple, past continuous or present perfect simple.

1. I ___________________ (to see) a great film yesterday.

2. ___________________ (to buy / you / ever) a new car?
3. I ___________________ (to meet) him last Monday.
4. The band ___________________ (to play) while I ___________________ (to
write).

37
5. She ___________________ (to buy) the new car in 2005.
6. I ___________________ (to have) so much fun since I was a kid.
7. When I got up I ___________________ (to look) out of the window
and ___________________ (to see) that it ___________________ (to rain).
8. I ___________________ (to see) three movies so far this week.
9. I’m afraid I’m not hungry. I ___________________ (to eat / already)
10. Peter ___________________ (to play) football in the afternoon when he got
the call.

7) Complete the sentences with the present simple, present continuous,

past simple, past continuous or present perfect simple.

1. Do you like reading? - Yes , I ___________________ (to read / already) ten

books this year.
2. A few days ago Dad ___________________ (to park) his car in front of a No
Parking sign and ___________________ (to rush) into the shop. When
he ___________________ (to come) out ten minutes later the car was no
longer there. He ___________________ (to wonder) if someone had stolen it or
if the police had driven it away.
3. You look very upset. - What ___________________ (to happen)?
4. When we went to see them last night they ___________________ (to
play) cards. They said they had been playing cards since six o'clock.
5. I am so sorry that I ___________________ (to have) to leave the party so
early yesterday because I ___________________ (to enjoy / really) myself.
6. The boys ___________________ (to play) cards when they
___________________ (to hear) their father's steps. At once,
they ___________________ (to hide) the cards and ___________________ (to
take out) their workbooks.
7. These workers are never satisfied . They ___________________ (to complain
- always).
8. ___________________ (to believe / you) everything that the newspapers
say? - No, I ___________________ (not to believe) any of it. - Then
why ___________________ (to read / you) newspapers at all?
9. The train just started when the door ___________________ (to open) and
two passengers ___________________ (to leap) in.

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10. ___________________ (to hear) the wind? - It ___________________ (to
blow / very strongly) tonight.
11. My aunt normally ___________________ (not to bake) any cakes but today
she ___________________ (to bake) one because her sister will
arrive tomorrow.
12. The sun ___________________ (to rise) in the east
and ___________________ (to set) in the west.
13. I went into the garden to see what the boys ___________________ (to do).
14. Who ___________________ (you - to talk) to when I came in ? - Oh,
I ___________________ (to be) on the phone with my landlord.
15. I went into Jack's house but I ___________________ (not to find) him
anywhere. His mother ___________________ (not to know) what
he ___________________ (to do) at that time.

8) Complete the sentences with the present simple, present continuous,

past simple, past continuous or present perfect simple.

1. When Carol ___________________ (to call) last night

I ___________________ (to watch) my favorite TV show.
2. Sharon loves to travel. She ___________________ (to go) abroad almost
every summer. Next year she plans to go to Peru.
3. Every day I ___________________ (to wake up) at six,
___________________ (to eat) breakfast at seven and ___________________
(to leave) for work at eight. However, this morning I ___________________ (to
get up) at 6:30, ___________________ (to skip) breakfast and
___________________ (to leave) for work late because I forgot to set the
alarm.
4. Right now Jim ___________________ (to prepare) dinner and
Sandra ___________________ (to bring) the children to bed. Last night at this
time they ___________________ (to do) the same thing.
5. Bob ___________________ (to be) on the phone for over an hour. I wonder
when he’s finished.
6. Mary ___________________ (to take / always) the children to football
training at this time.

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7. While we ___________________ (to wait) for the bus
we ___________________ (to see) two children flashing by with their roller
skates.

9) Complete the sentences with the present simple, present continuous,

past simple, past continuous or present perfect simple.

1. Shakespeare ___________________ (to write) a lot of plays.

2. My brother ___________________ (to write) several plays.
He ___________________ (to finish / just) his second tragedy.
3. I ___________________ (not to see) him for three years. I wonder where he
is.
4. He ___________________ (not to smoke) for two weeks.
He ___________________ (to try) to give it up.
5. Chopin ___________________ (to compose) some of his music in Majorca.
6. I ___________________ (to read) his books when I was at school.
I ___________________ (to enjoy) them very much.
7. I can't go out because I ___________________ (not to finish) my work yet.
8. The clock is slow. It isn't slow, it ___________________ (to stop).
9. I ___________________ (to do) this sort of work when
I ___________________ (to be) in the army.
10. He ___________________ (to go) out ten minutes ago.
11. ___________________ (to have) breakfast yet ? Yes,
I ___________________ (to have) it at 8 o'clock.
12. The play ___________________ (to begin / just). You're a bit late.
13. The actors ___________________ (to arrive) yesterday
and ___________________ (to start) rehearsals early this morning.
14. It ___________________ (to be) very cold this year. I wonder when it will
get warmer.
15. He ___________________ (to break) his leg in a skiing accident last year.
16. Mr. Pound is a bank manager. He ___________________ (to be) here for 25
years.
17. ___________________ (to be) here before ? Yes, I ___________________
(to spend) my holidays here last year. ___________________ (to have / you) a
good time ? No, it never ___________________ (to stop) raining.

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18. ___________________ (to try / you / ever) to give up smoking ? Yes,
I ___________________ (to try) last year, but I ___________________ (to
find) that I was getting so fat so I ___________________ (to start) again.
19. How ___________________ (to get / you) that scar ?
I ___________________ (to get) it in a car accident a year ago.

!!! 10) Complete the sentences with the present simple, present
continuous, past simple, past continuous, present perfect simple or
present perfect continuous.

1. What ______________________ (Helen / to do) for the last two hours ?

- She ______________________ (to prepare) for next week’s meeting; she
______________________ (to dust) the furniture now.
2. His sister ______________________ (to be) in Australia six times and I
______________________ (to be) there only twice.
3. We ______________________ (to live) in Johannesburg since World War II
and so far we ______________________ (never / to intend) to leave the
country, but the situation ______________________ (recently / to turn) so bad
that we ______________________ (to decide) to go back to Austria.
4. We must wake her. She ______________________ (to sleep) for 15 hours.
5. I ______________________ (to write) a book about Japan. I
______________________ (just / to finish).
6. How many customers ______________________ (Sally / to call) last week?
7. Some time ago Mr Pale ______________________ (to ask) me to lend him
some money.
8. Demonstrators ______________________ (to block) the road for three
hours.
9. When ______________________ (you / to switch on) the light today?
10. Could you go? - I ______________________ (not / to can) answer the door
because I ______________________ (to take) a shower.
11. Who ______________________ (to break) my ruler?
12. No, we ______________________ (not / to be) here before.
13. At present they ______________________ (to have) no jobs.
14. Two men ______________________ (to chat) in the middle of the road
when suddenly a lorry ______________________ (to turn) round the bend. The
driver ______________________ (to stop) in time.

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15. The grass ______________________ (to look) awful. I’m sure you
______________________ (not / to cut) it since June.
16. We ______________________ (to go) to the circus yesterday. We
______________________ (to spend) a wonderful time there. I
______________________ (to like) the clowns best.
17. What ______________________ (you / to want) me to do at our next
meeting?
18. ______________________ (you / to know) how long these trees
______________________ (to be) here ? - Yes, they
______________________ (to be) here since the end of the war.
19. What shall we do ? – Some people ______________________ (to get) very
impatient.
20. ______________________ (you / not / to meet) Mr Temple yesterday?
- Why ______________________ (you / to think) I ______________________
(to meet) him?
- I ______________________ (to see) him last Friday, but I
______________________ (not / to see) him since then.
21. Can you help me? I ______________________ (to look) for a job.
22. You have a nice dog. How long ______________________ (you / to have)
it?

Writing exercises

1) Write about yourself in a text of at least five lines: where are you from? How
old are you? What do you do at school? What are your hobbies? What kind of
person are you (personality). Use the correct tense and four different verbs.

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

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2) Look at the picture. Use the correct tense to describe what everyone is doing.

Source: https://www.blendspace.com/lessons/I1LzVNDgLcz6TA/what-are-they-doing

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

3) Write a text of at least five lines about what you did during summer break.
Use the correct tense.

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

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4) Make up your alibi:
Yesterday at 10 pm a wallet was stolen at your best friend’s birthday party. The
police are questioning all the invitees to try to find who is guilty of this crime.
Choose at least 6 activities from the list below to make up your alibi. First,
choose the activity that you were doing at 10 pm yesterday. Then arrange other
activities in the order you imagine you did them (you can choose several
activities to do at the same time, e.g. I was reading a newspaper and drinking
my coffee from 2:00-3:00 PM yesterday). Use past simple and past
continuous tenses in your writing. Write at least 50 words.

• To go to the toilet
• To arrive at the party
• To get something to drink
• To talk to a friend
• To dance on the dance floor
• To eat some snacks
• To go home
• To take pictures
• To talk to my best friend’s parents
• To play a game
• To eat cake
• To make tote bags
• …

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

5) Great accomplishments
What are some of the things you have already accomplished at this time in your
life? Write a text of at least five lines in which you describe two or three things
you have done that you are most proud of. Use the adverb “already” and the
correct tense.

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________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

6) How have you been spending your time lately? Write a text of at least three
sentences in which you describe three things you have been doing in your free
time. Use a time marker in each sentence, e.g. for two weeks, since last year,
for the past few months, … to indicate the length of time you have been doing
the activity.

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Sources exercises:
• https://elt.oup.com/student/solutions/elementary/grammar/grammar_04_012e?cc=be&selLanguage=
en
• https://www.english-grammar.at/online_exercises/tenses/tenses_index.htm
• https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com
• https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/present-perfect-exercises.html
• https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/present-perfect-present-perfect-continuous-2.html
• https://www.english-grammar.at/worksheets/tenses/t27.pdf
• https://www.english-grammar.at/worksheets/tenses/t035-present-past-present-perfect.pdf
• Connect 3
• linguahouse.com
• http://www.momjunction.com/articles/best-animal-story-books-every-children-should-
read_0078156/#gref

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