Exercises – Present Perfect Simple Vs.

Past Simple

A. Put the verbs in italics in the SIMPLE PAST TENSE.

1. Last Sunday my friend and I (leave) __________ town early in the morning.
2. We (drive) __________ to our favorite picnic spot by Lake Michigan.
3. The baker (sell) __________ us freshly baked bread.
4. The weather (be) __________ great.
5. Very soon it (start) __________ to pour with rain. The rain (fall) __________ heavily on
us and our picnic things.

B. Put the verbs in italics in the PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE.

1. She (do) __________ it just for fun, not with a career in mind.
2. We (study) __________ the causes and effects of earthquakes.
3. It (be) __________ a busy but enjoyable month.
4. I (learn) __________ to sail because I (have) __________ a lot of time to practice.
5. They (spend) __________ a lot of time outdoors.

C. Circle the correct words.

1. I once have owned / owned a pet rabbit called Beckham!
2. I haven’t seen / didn’t see you for a long time – have you been away?
3. Have you found / Did you find your keys yet?
4. Where have you gone / did you go after the party last night?
5. I’ve been phoning Jenny all day, but I haven’t managed / didn’t manage to speak
with her yet.
6. She hasn’t won / didn’t win any medals yet.
7. He plays for Manchester City now. How long has he played / did he play for
Liverpool?
8. I haven’t had / didn’t have anything to eat last night.

D. Complete the short dialogue. Use the past simple or the present perfect simple.
1. ‘___________________ you ‘___________________ your history project?’ (do)
‘Yes, I ___________________ it yesterday.’ (finish)
2. ‘How many times ___________________ you ___________________ at the gym this
week?’ (work out)
‘Twice. I ___________________ last Saturday and yesterday.’ (go)
3. ‘We ___________________ to Spain last year.’ (travel)
‘Lucky you! I ___________________ never ___________________ a foreign country.’ (visit)
4. ‘Tania ___________________ my invitation to the party yet.’ (not accept)
‘When ___________________ you ___________________ her?’ (ask)
‘When I ___________________ her in the park earlier in the week.’ (see)
5. ‘___________________ you ever ___________________ anyone famous?’ (meet)
‘Yes, I ___________________ to Serena Williams at out school sports day last summer!’
(talk)