Never say die!

English
tenses
EXERCISES ON TENSES

I. Give the correct form of verbs in brackets, using present simple or present progressive
1. Emma: (1) (you /do)……………………….anything tonight?
Matthew: Yes, (2) (I/ go)…………………….to the station to meet my friend Richard. (3) (he/ stay)
…………………….here for the weekend, remember? His train (4) (get)…………………in at 8.15.
Emma: Oh, I’d forgotten about that.
Matthew: Maybe we’ll see you later. What (5) (you/ do) ………………………tonight?
Emma: Well, (6) (I/ go)……………………to the cinema with Vicky. The film (7) (finish)
………………….quite early so (8) (we/ go)…………………..to a pizza place afterwards.
2. I (go)………………to the movies tonight. The film (begin)………………..at 7.30.
3. The world (change)………………rapidly. Things (never/ stay)…………………the same.
4. It often (rain)…………………in summer, buu;t it (not rain)……………………now.
5. What time …………….this train (get)……………….to London?
6. Computers (become)……………………more important in our lives.
7. A: ………….(be) you free at lunchtime tomorrow?
B: No, I (have)………………..lunch with my parents.
8. We (have)…………………..a party next Sunday. Would you like to come?
9. Sue (come)…………………..to see us tomorrow. She (travel)…………………..by train and her train
(arrive)…………………at 10.15, I (meet)…………………….her at the station.
10. A: What…………….your sister (do)……………..?
B: She is an architect but she (not work)…………………..at the moment.
11. Can you stop walking soon? I (get)………………tired.
12. Those children ( sleep)…………………………for two hours every afternoon.
13. We always ( do)…………………………our English lessons carefully.
14. At present, he ( work)………………………..for a foreign company.
15. Just a minute! I ( look)……………………………up that word in the dictionary.
16. We ( study)……………………………the use of verb in English at the moment.
17. The earth ( go)…………………………around the sun once every 365 days.
18. That student ( know)………………………all of the new words very well now.
19. He generally ( sing)……………in English but today he ( sing)……………..in French.
20. The teacher ( point)…………………at the black board when he ( want)…………….to explain
something.
21. Hurry up! The bus ( come)…………………I ( not want)…………………to miss it.
22. Listen! Somebody ( sing)……………………………………..
23. How often ( you / read )…………………………….a newspaper?
24. The sun always ( rise)…………………….in the east. Look, it ( rise)…………………
25. I ( hear)………………….you, I ( know)……………. what you ( say)………………..
26. The concert ( start ) ………………..at 7.30 this evening.
27. Ann, we ( go)………………………to town.( you / come)……………………with us?
28. She (have)…………………coffee for breakfast every morning.
29. I ( see)…………………….that you ( wear)………………..your best clothes.
30. She sometimes ( buy)…………………….vegetables at this market.
31. Mother ( read)…………………………….the newspaper now.
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Never say die! English
tenses
32. Mr. Nam normally (work)………………on his farm, but he (spend)………………….this month in Tien
Giang. He (learn)………………how to plan new crops.
33. Nam and his friends (have)………………….chemistry lessons in the lab. They (conduct)
…………………some experiments. They always (have)…………………..chemistry lessons twice a week.
Their teacher always (make)…………………the lessons interesting.
34. Most weekdays, Miss Hoa (ride)…………….her motorbikes to school. But as it (rain)
……………….today, she (take)………………a bus to school; and her sister, Linh, (do)…………………the
shopping at the supermarket instead of the green market where she usually (do)…………………..
35. Mr. Quoc (sit)………………at a street crossroad in Hue. He (hope)…………………to find one more
passenger for his cyclo before he (go)……………home. He usually (finish)…………….his work at 9 p.m,
but tonight he cannot go home until 11 p.m. business (be)………………….not good these days.
36. Mr. Robison: Where are the children?
Mrs. Robison: They (play)………………in the garden. They (get)…………….home from school at about
5.15 and usually (go)……………..straight out to play with their friends.
37. Mr. Liem is the owner of a small factory. He (check)……………….his factory’s accounts. He (want)
…………….to expand his business. He (have)………………….a meeting with his bank manager tomorrow.
He (hope)………………..the bank will give him a short – term loan.

II. Give the correct form of verbs in brackets, using Past simple or Past perfect
1. We (see) ……………………..... that film before 1975.
2. When I (come) ………... to the room last night, this film (begin) ……………………..... a quarter before.
3. …….…. Ronald Regan (be)………….......a Hollywood actor before he (become) .......a politician?
4. I (feel) ………………….......... little better after I (take) ………………….......... the medicine.
5. Was Tom at the party when you (arrive) …………..........? – No, he (go) …………….......... home.
6. Anna (never, see) …………………...........snow until last winter.
7. He (live) ………………….......... in his father’s house till his father died.
8. What did you do after you (leave) ………………….......... the stadium?
9. In the 1980 Olympic Games, the Soviet people (complete) ……………............. their preparations when
the participants (arrive) ………………….............
10. When he (come) .............., the children (already, finish) ..................................the exercises.
11. By the time he (arrive) …………………., the match (begin) ......................
12. When the telephone rang, I (just, finish) …………........................... my homework.
13. Peter’s father (repair) ………………….......... his old bicycle this morning.
14. When we (come) .......................... Tom (have) ………......dinner already
15. After she (finish) .....................her work, she (leave) ........................the office.
16. As soon as it (stop) ........................raining, the workers went on with their work.
17. What ……… he (do) …… after he (leave) ......................... school?
18. Before I (come) ..................here yesterday, my mother (call) ……………………. me.
19. We were very tired last night because we (play) …........football in the afternoon.
20. Linda wasn’t at home then, maybe she (go) …………………… out.
21. I (meet) ............................. him twice before I (leave) ............................. for London.
22. When we (come) ............................. to the movies, the lesson (already, begin) .............................
23. After I (finish) ............................. my breakfast, I (get) ............................. ready to go to school.
24. By 2007, I (leave) ............................. high school.
25. He (leave) ............................. his office after he (read) ............................. the report.
26. He (go) ..................... to the railway station yesterday morning but the train (start) .............................
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Never say die! English
tenses
27. The manager (already, leave) ............................ for the conference before we (get) ….......to the office.
28. This worker (finish) ............................. his work before he (go) ............................. home.
29. I didn’t meet Sleeve because when I (arrive) ..................., he (go) .......................to school.
30. ................... you (live) ............... in Hanoi before you (move) ............................. to here?
31. I (go) ............................. to bed before 9 p.m last night.
32. Miss Snow (type) ............................. ten letters before lunchtime yesterday.
33. The train (start) ............................. before we (arrive) ............................. at the station.
34. The film (begin) ............................. when we (get) ............................. to the cinema.
35. He said that he (see) ............................. that man before.
36. Mr. Brown (die) ..... ................................after he (be) ............................. ill for a long time.
37. By December 1st last year, he (work) ............................. in the bank for 5 years.
38. He discovered that he (eat) ............................. a fly.
39. He (do) ............................. nothing before he (see) ….......me.
40. I realised that I (see) ............................. that woman before.
41. Where ………… you (go) ……………. yesterday? – I (go) .......................... to see one of my friends.
42. Peter (have) ............................. dinner before he (do) ………………. his homework.
43. These students (take) ............................. an exam before they (have) ............................. a summer
holiday last year.
44. They got up late, and when they (arrive) .............at the station, the train (leave) …………….......
45. After getting up, the boy (brush)......................... his teeth and (have) ............................. breakfast.
46. When I (get) ....................home, she (be) .........................there for three hours.
47. We tried to phone Henry this afternoon, but there (be) ........no answer. He (go) ........out.
48. They arrived at work in the morning and found that somebody (break) ...................into the office during
the night. So they (call) ................the police.
49. He (not, lock) ............................. the door before going to work this morning.
50. Lisa (meet) ……......Brian a few weeks ago. He (just, come) ......................back from holiday.
51. They (spend) ______ their honeymoon in Paris, where they (meet) _______ two years before.
52. When Alice (do) ________ shopping, she (pick) _______ her children up from school.
53. He (show) _______ us the place where he (hurt) ________ his leg.
54. I (look) ________ at the photos that he (send) ______.
55. Yesterday I (read) ________ an interesting article which my teacher (recommend) _________ to me.
56. Andy (win) _______ the match although he (not / play) _______ squash before.
57. When I (leave) _______ the house, I (not / have) _______ breakfast yet.
58. Jim (crash) ______ into another car because he (not / realize) _______ the red traffic light.
59. Carol (miss)…………………her plane yesterday because of a traffic jam on her way to the airport. By
the time she (get)……………..to the airport, her plane already (leave)………………..
60. I (have)……………….a shower before breakfast this morning.
61. Last Sunday when we (visit)…………………our uncle, he (go)………………on business abroad.
62. A: I (see)………………you in the school play last night. You (do)…………………a terrific acting job.
You ever (act)………………..on a play before this one?
B: Yes, I (start)………………acting when I was in primary school.
63. When I first (travel)………………..abroad to study, I never (live)………………in a dormitory before.
During the first year, I (have)…………………….a roommate from Vietnam who (become)……………….a
very good friend. Prior to that time, I never (live)………………..with anyone from another culture.

III. Give the correct form of verbs in brackets, using Past simple or Present perfect
1. I (just / finish) ……………………. my homework. I'm going to watch TV.
2. Mary (already / write) ……………………. five letters. She's going to send one of them.
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Never say die! English
tenses
3. Tom (move) ………………….. to this town in 1994. He likes this city very much.
4. My friend (be) …………………. in Canada two years ago. Now she is living in Australia.
5. I (not / be) …………………. to Japan so far. I hear that it's a beautiful country.
6. I (already / travel) …………………….. to London a couple of times. London is an exciting city.
7. Last week, Mary and Paul (go) ……………………. to the cinema.
8. I can't take any pictures because I (not / buy) …………………… a new film yet.
9. (they / spend) ……………………… their holiday in New Zealand last summer?
10. (you / ever / see) ……………………….. a grey whale?
11. I (do)……………….all the housework. The flat is really clean now.
12. He (write)………………….a novel for two years, but he (not finish)………………….it yet.
13. My brother (leave)………………..home 10 years ago. I (never meet)………………….him since then.
14. What ………….you (do)…………….last weekend? …………you (play)…………………golf?
15. I like your car. How long …………….you (have)………………..it?
16. Mai (buy)……………….a new dress last month but she (not wear)………………….it yet.
17. Mr. Quang (teach)……………….Maths in this school since he (graduate)………………..from the
university in 1959.
18. …………..you (hear)……………of Agatha Christie? She (be)…………….a writer who (die)
…………….in 1976. She (write)…………………..more than 70 detective novels. …………you (read)
……………..any of them?
19. When I (get)……………home last night, I (be)………….very tired and I (go) ………..straight to bed.
20. Daniel (earn)…………………..some money last week. But I’m afraid he (already spend)
………………it all.
21. A few days ago, I (1) (learn)………………that someone plans to knock down the White Horse Inn.
This pub (2) (be)………………..the center of village life for centuries. It (3) (stand)……………….at our
crossroad for 500 years. It (4) (be)………………...famous in old days, and Shakespeare once (5) (stay)
……………….there, they say. I (6) (live)…………………in Brickfield all my life. The villagers (7)
(know)…………………about the plans for a week and already there’s a “Save Our Pub’s campaign”. Last
week we (8) (be)……………..happy, but this week we’re angry. We’ll stop them, you’ll see.
22. A: You (ever connect)……………………….a printer?
B: I (know)……………………how to connect it since I (be)………………….12.
23. A: Ben (break)……………………his leg.
B: Really? How that (happen)………………………….?
A: He (fall)……………………..off a ladder.
24. A: Ow! I (burn)……………………myself.
B: How you (do)…………………..that?
A: I (pick)…………………up a hot dish.
25. A: Mark (not be)………………..here recently.
B: Really? When he (go)…………………….?
A: He (leave)………………………here three months ago.
26. A: Do you have Ann’s address?
B: Well, she (give)…………………me her address but I’m afraid I (lose)………………….it.
27. A: You (hear)……………………..anything from Jane?
B: No. We (not receive)……………….any letter from her since she (leave)…………..4 months ago.
28. A: You (see)……………………..the film Harry Potter yet?
B: Yes, I (already see)………………………..it.
A: When you (see)………………………..it?
B: I (see)……………………….it last month.
29. A: How long you (know)…………………..Mrs. Chi?
B: I (know)………………………her for five years.
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Never say die! English
tenses
30. A: Your dog ever (bite)………………………..anyone?
B: Yes, he (bite)…………………..a policeman last week.
31. I (have)………………..these shoes since my 18th birthday.
32. We (live)……………in Newcastle for three years now and like it a lot.
33. The last time I (meet)………………her was in June.
34. When my parents were on holiday, I (stay)………………..with my grandparents for 2 weeks.
35. I (not see)……………..Ann for ages. She (not visit)………………..us since July.
36. Martin (be)…………………to Greek five times. He loves the place.
37. I (work)……………..for a computer company for a year. That was after college.
38. We (move)……………….here in 1993. We (be)………………..here for a long time now.
39. It isn’t a very good party. Most people (already go)…………………..home.
40. It was so hot today that I (wear)……………….shorts and a T-shirt at work.
41. My wife and I (move)…………………three ties since we (get)…………………married.
42. So far this week there (be)………………..three burglaries in our street.
43. When I was younger I (play)……………..badminton for my local team.
44. In the past few years, it (become)…………….more and more difficult to get into university.
45. I (enjoy)……………………skiing ever since I (live)………………..in Switzerland.

IV. Give the correct form of verbs in brackets, using the Simple future or Simple Present
1. We (go)………………..out when the rain (stop)………………..
2. She (not come)………………..until you (be)………………….ready.
3. I (come)………………….and see them before I (leave)………………..here.
4. We (phone)…………………you as soon as we (arrive)……………….in Hanoi.
5. When I (see)…………………Mr. Pike tomorrow, I (give)………………….him your message.
6. He promises he (leave)……………………before the Sun (rise)………………….
7. They (move)………………..to their new house at Christmas this year.
8. Who (look after)……………………..the children when your sister (be)…………………away?
9. You (be)…………………late if you (not hurry)…………………….
10. Thanks for letting me borrow your camera. I (bring)………………….it back to you after I (return)
……………….from my holiday.
11. He (learn)…………………………….. French when he (have)………………….. time.
12. They (not go)………………….. on working until the rain (stop)……………………..
13. I (not do) ……………………….it until they (tell) ………………………me to.
14. They (come) ……......to see their grandparents before they (leave) ………..for New York.
15. She (learn)……………one more foreign language when she (go ) ………….to university.
16. They (not go) ……………………….home until it (stop) …………………….raining.
17. Where you (be)…………………………. at this time tomorrow?
18. I (be)………………………. at the meeting.
19. Nobody (know)………… what he (do) …………….to earn his living after he (finish)……………
school.
20. When we (meet) ……………………………..again?
21. We (meet)………………….again when I (return) ……………..home from Australia.
22. He (be) ……………..busy at the moment. But he (come)……………………. to give you a helping
hand as soon as he (finish)………………………. his work.
23. I ( stay)………………………..here until he ( answer )……………………me.

V. Choose the best option

1. The doorbell rang/ was ringing while Tom watched/ was watching television.
2. How fast did you drive/ were you driving when the accident happened/ was happening?
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Never say die! English
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3. Anna and Susan made/ were making dinner when Martin arrived/ was arriving.
4. The light went out/ was going out when we had/ were having dinner.
5. “What did you do/ were you doing this time yesterday?” – “I worked/ was working on the computer.”
6. It suddenly began/ was beginning to rain while Laura sat/ was sitting in the garden.
7. Sam took/ was taking a photograph of me while I didn’t look/ wasn’t looking.
8. When I saw/ was seeing them, they tried/ were trying to find a new house near their work.
9. I walked/ was walking a long the street when I suddenly felt/ was feeling something hit me in the back.
I didn’t know/ wasn’t knowing what it was.
10. Last night, I dropped/ was dropping a plate when I did/ was doing the washing up. Fortunately it
didn’t break/ wasn’t breaking.
11. I like listening to music while I was studying/ am studying.
12. Her teacher was angry because she doesn’t finish/ didn’t finish the homework.
13. Mary met/ was meeting her husband while she worked/ was working in the US.
14. Why does Peter keep shouting at people? He wasn’t being/ didn’t use to be so bad – tempered.
15. How long is it since you have/ had a holiday?
16. The last time I went/ have gone to Brighton is/ was in August.
17. I wish I lived/ live in a big city. It’s so boring in the country.
18. Sandra paid/ was paying for her things when she heard/ was hearing someone call her name.
19. Did you buy/ have you bought anything at the shop yesterday?
20. Mai knows/ knew a little English, so she wishes she can/ could speak it fluently.
21. You’re always tired. I wish you don’t go/ didn’t go to bed so late.

VI. Give the correct form of verbs in brackets, using the simple past or past progressive
1. Last summer I (1) (stay) ………… ……….in London with my friends Sue and Dennis. One day Sue and
Dennis (2) (do) … ……………… something and I was alone in the house. I (3) (decide) …… ………… to
have a bath. I (4) (go) …… ……….to the bathroom and (5) (turn on) ……… ……….the taps. Then while
the bath (6) (fill up) …… ………….., I (7) (go) ……… ………….to the bedroom. Unfortunately, while I
(8) (lie) …… …………..on the bed, I (9) (fall) ……… …………asleep. I had a very strange dream. I (10)
(sail) …… ………….a boat along a river, when suddenly I (11) (come) ……… ……….to a waterfall. The
water (12) (make) ………………a terrible noise. While I (13) (struggle) …… ………………to stop the
boat, I (14) (wake up) …………… ……… I (15) (hear) …… …………. a noise downstairs. Sue and
Dennis (16) (come) ……..…… the house. Then I (17) (realize) …… …………..that I could still hear the
waterfall. It was the bath, of course. I (18) (jump) …… …………….off the bed and (19) (run)……………
……..to the bathroom. There (20) (be) ……………..water everywhere.
2. When I arrived, the lecture had already started and the professor (write)………………..on the board.
3. I (make)…………………..a cake when the light (go)………………out.
4. I didn’t want to meet Paul so when he entered the room I (leave)…………………….
5. He (watch)……………………..TV when the phone (ring)………………Very unwillingly he (turn)
……………..down the sound and (go)………………to answer it.
6. He suddenly (realize)……………….that he (travel)………………..in the wrong direction.
7. As I (cross)……………………the street, I (step)……………….on a banana skin and (fall)
……………….heavily.
8. I lit the fire at 6.00 and it (burn)…………………brightly when Tom came in at 7.00.
9. Unfortunately when I arrived Alice just (leave)…………………., so we only had time for a few words.
10. He (play)…………………….the guitar outside his house when someone opened the window and
(throw)……………………out a bucket of water.
12. When I (look)……………….for my passport I (find)………………….this of photograph.
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13. He (sit)……………………on the river bank fishing when he (see)…………….a man’s hat floating
down the river.
14. It (snow)………………..heavily when he (wake)………………up.
15. When I (reach)…………………..the street, I (realize)…………………that I (not know)
……………….the number of Tom’s house.
16. I (look)……………….through the classroom window. A geometry lesson (go)……………..on. The
teacher (draw)……………….diagrams on the blackboard.
17. I (meet)…………………Paul at the university. We (be)………………both in the same year. He
(study)………………….law, but he (spend)………………most of his time practicing the violin.
18. “What you (do)……………….between 9.00 and 10.00 yesterday?” (say)…………….the detective. “I
(clean)………………my house,” said Mrs. Jones. “I always clean my house on Saturday mornings”
19. The dentist’s waiting room was full of people. Some (read)……………..magazines, others just (turn)
…………….over the pages. A woman (knit)……………….; a child (play)……………….with a toy car.
20. She (work)………………….quietly at her desk when suddenly the door (open)………………and her
daughter (rush)…………………..in.
21. He (stand)……………..up, (walk)……………across the room, and (close)……………..the window.
22. A strange man (walk)……………..into the room. He (wear)………………red trousers and a pink shirt.
23. You (not meet)………………..your wife while you (work)………………..in England?
24. I (see)…………….you in the park yesterday. You (sit)………………on a bench with your arm around
Tom.
25. As soon as I (walk)…………….into the room, he (hand)……………..me a letter.
26. His father was really angry with him because he (listen)………………to music while he (do)
……………….his homework.
27. Why they (not visit)…………………me while they (stay)………………in London?
28. As he (pass)………………the bank. A man in a mask (knock)……………….him out onto the ground.
29. What you (write)………………..when your computer (crash)…………………..?
30. We (feel)………………very sad when the holiday (end)……………..

VII. Give the correct form of verb in bracket

1. Up to now, the teacher (give). . . . . . . . .. . . . our class 5 tests.
2. Long ago, my younger brother often (cry). . . . . . . . .. . . .
3. What’s your favorite subject? - I (like)…………………… ….history.
4. Please be quiet! I (work) . . . . . . . . .. . . .
5. Mary (come) . . . . . . . . .. . . . from London
6. Sometimes I (get) . . . . . . . . .. . . . up before the sun ( rise )………………
7. I’m preparing to support anything he (say) . . . . . . . . .. . . . tomorrow
8. At 4 p.m yesterday? Well, I (work) . . . . . . . . .. . . . in my office at that time
9. The audience (listen) . . . . . . . . .. . . . to everything he said last night
10. She (ask) . . . . . . . . .. . . . me to tell about him several times
11. Mr Jackson (paint) . . . . . . . . .. . . . his house since last month.
12. It’s 9 .p.m now I (study) …………………………………..English.
13. When I came in, they all (sit) . . . . . . . . .. . . . round the fire. Mr Pike (do) . . . . . . . . .. . . . crossword
puzzle.
14. Yesterday thieves (break) . . . . . . . . .. . . . into the house and (steal) . . . . . . . . .. . . . a lot of fur coats
while the guests ( dance ) . . . . . . . . .. . . .
15. He (do) . . . . . . . . .. . . . his homework before he went to the cinema.
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16. How long you (wait) . . . . . . . . .. . . . for me? – Just a few minutes.
17. . I always (study)………………………………….. English for two hours at night.
18. He often (say) . . . . . . . . .. . . . OK when he (talk) . . . . . . . . .. . . . with the guests.
19. Tom (not come) . . . . . . . . .. . . . here tomorrow.
20. Look! They (climb) ……………………………………….. the tree.
21. Listen! The birds (sing) . . . . . . . . .. . . .
22. The house (build) . . . . . . . . .. . . .2 years ago.
23. Someone (cut) . . . . . . . . .. . . . down all the trees in the garden.
24. Mr Pike (live) . . . . . . . . .. . . . here since last October.
25. John (watch) . . . . . . . . .. . . . TV at 8 last evening.
26. Some animals (not eat) . . . . . . . . .. . . . during winter.
27. Why didn’t you listen while I (speak) . . . . . . …… . .. . . . to you?
28. Be quiet! The teacher (be) . . . . . . . . .. . . . angry.
29. Hurry up! The train (come). . . . . . . . .. . . .
30. I (speak) . . . . . . . . .. . . . to you about that matter after the meeting tonight.
31. Don’t worry. I (give) ………………him your message when I (see) ……………… him.
32. We (not receive) . . . . . . . . .. . . . any letters from him since he ( move ) . . . . . . . . .. . . .here four
months ago.
33. How long you (study) . . . . . . . . .. . . . in this school?
34. I can ………………….. (see) the children. They…………………….(play) in the yard.
35. He………………… (be) out at the moment but he………………….(be) back at about seven o’clock.
36. It (rain) . . . . . . . . .. . . . when we arrived.
37. We (not see) . . . . . . . . .. . . . them for a long time.
38. He felt asleep while he (do) . . . . . . . . .. . . . his homework.
39. When your father (die). . . . . . . . .. . . . ?
I (not know) . . . . . . . . .. . . . when he ( die ) . . . . . . . . .. . . .
40. Up to then I never (see) . . . . . . . . .. . . . such a fat man.
41. What you (do) . . . . . . . . .. . . . when I ( ring ) . . . . . . . . .. . . . you last night?
42. The dog (wag) . . . . . . . . .. . . . his tail whenever he (see) . . . . . . . . .. . . . me.
43. People (speak) . . . . . . . . .. . . . English in most of Canada.
44. John (drive) . . . . . . . . .. ……... . . that car ever since I (know) . . . . . . . . .. . . . him.
45. Hoa (keep) ……………… her teeth very careful. She (brush) ………………….her teeth twice a day.
46. Don’t call me in the afternoon. I usually (be) . . . . . . . . .. . . . away in the afternoon.
47. The train for Hanoi (leave)………………………. at 7.30 tonight.
48. My mother is saving money because they (buy) ………………… a new house next year.
49. Someone (steal) . . . . . . . . .. . . . my handbag on the bus yesterday.
50. My friend (thank) . . . . . . . . .. . . . me for what I had done for him.
51. Yesterday the police (report) . . . . . . . . .. . . . that they (capture) . . . . . . . . .. . . . the thief.
52. Columbus (discover) . . . . . . . . .. . . . America more than 400 years ago.
53. When the teacher came in, the pupils (play) . . . . . . . . …. . . . games.
54. You (speak) . . . . . . . . .. . . . to Mrs Baker yesterday?
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Never say die! English
tenses
No, I (not see) . . . . . . . . .. . . . her for a long time.
I (can not) . . . . . . . . .. . . . remember when I last (see) . . . . . . . . .. . . . her.
55. He (leave) . . . . . . . . .. . . . home 2 weeks ago and we (not hear) . . ... . . . . . .. . . . from him since then.
56. Miss Lee often (write) . . . . . . . . .. . . . when she was on holiday.
57. Mr. Thanh (be) ………………… a doctor. He (work) ………………….. in a hospital in the city
center. Everyday he (catch) ………………………. the bus to work.
58. My brother (join) . . . . . . . . .. . . . the army when he (be) . . . . . . . . .. . . . young
59. You (receive) . . . . . . . . .. . . . any letters from your parents yet?
60. How long Bob and Mary (be) . . . . . . . . .. . . . married?
61. My teacher wasn’t at home when I (arrive) . . . . . . . . .. . ., he (just go) . . . . . . . . .. . . . out.
62. My father (not smoke ) . . . . . . . . .. . . . for 5 years
63. I (lose) . . . . . . . . .. . . . my key. Can you help me look for it?
64. Birds (build) . . . . . . . . .. . . . their nests in the summer and (fly) . . . . . . . . .. . . . to the south in winter.
65. I’m busy at the moment. I (redecorate) . . . . . . . . .. . . . the sitting room.
66. I always (buy) . . . . . . . . .. . . . lottery tickets but I never (win) . . . . . . . . .. . . . anything.
67. I (work) . . . . . . . . .. . . . for him for 10 years and he never once (say) . . . . . . . . .. . . . “good morning”
to me
68. I (teach) . . . . . . . . .. . . . hundreds of students but I never (meet) . . . . . . . . .. . . . such a hopeless.
69. This time next month I (sit) . . . . . . . . .. . . . on a beach.
70. You (feel) . . . . . …. . . .. . . . better when you’ve had a meal.
71. I’m sure that I (recognize) . . . . . . . . .. . . . him.
72. He (lose) . . . . . . . . .. . . . his job last month and since then he (be) . . . . . . . . .. . . . out of work.
73. I (see) . . . . . . . . .. . . . a car accident while I (wait) . . . . . . . . .. . . . for you on this corner yesterday.
74. Mr Jone (be) . . . . . . . . .. . . . principal of out school since last year
75. Violets (bloom) . . . . . . . . .. . . . in Spring
76. We (not live) . . . . . . . . .. . . . in England for 2 years now.
77. I (never forget) . . . . . . . . .. . . . what you (just tell) . . . . . . . . .. . . . me.
78. They (prepare) . . . . . . . . .. . . . the Christmas dinner at the moment.
79. When I last (stay) . . . . . . . . .. . . . in Cairo, I (ride) . . . . . . . . .. . . . to the Pyramids on a camel that my
friend (borrow) . . . . . . . . .. . . . the day before.
80. George (work) . . . . . . . . .. . . . at the university so far.
81. I see that Tom (write) . . . . . . . . .. . . . his composition.
82. He says that he (look) . . . . . . . . .. . . . for a job next week.
83. They think he (be) . . . . . . . . .. . . . here last night.
84. We’ll go out when the rain (stop) ………………………
85. He wants to do it before his father (come) . . . . . . . . .. . . .
86. The student who answered the question (be) . . . . . . . . .. . . . John.
87. This is the house that Jack (build) . . . . . . . . .. . . . 3 years ago.
88. Mary (have) . . . . . . . . .. . . . dinner when her friend called.
89. I’ll wait until he (finish) . . . . . . …….. . .. . . . his novel.
90. They (often build) ……………………hotels, but this year they (build) …………………hospitals.
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Never say die! English
tenses
91. Don’t come until I (finish) . . . ….. . . . . . .. . . . lunch.
92. I (hope) . . . . . . . . .. . . . it (stop) . . . . . . . . .. . . . raining by 5 o’clock this afternoon.
93. Shut all the windows before you (go) . . . . . . . . .. . . . out
94. I (give) . . . . . . . . .. . . . her your letter when I (see) . . . . . . . . .. . . . her tomorrow.
95. The film (end) . . . . . . . . .. . . . by the time we (get) . . . . . . . . .. . . . there
96. They (build) . . . . . . . . .. . . . a house by June next year
97. My friends - Hong and Lien just (return) …………….... from their holiday in Da Lat. Before they
(leave) ............... Quang Ngai, I (give) ……………….. them my aunt's address in Da Lat in the hope that
they (visit)…………….. her and her family.
Last Tuesday night, I (come) ………….... to see them, and they (tell) …………... me how much they
(enjoy)……….. ... traveling around Da Lat, and I (look) ………….. at the color photos they (take)
……….... They also gave me the postcards and presents from my aunt and said that it (be) …………a great
pleasure for them to meet my relatives
98. Jane lives in London. She (work) …………….. as a travel writer for a magazine. She (go)……… ...
abroad five or six times a year. Last year, she (spend) ……... three months in Asia and she liked it so much
that she (not want) ………... to come home. Now she (travel)…………. in South America. She (not speak)
………….. Spanish very well, but she (study) ……………. it at the moment because she (need) …………..
to talk to local people. She (read) …………... a lot of books in French up to now. Every evening she (write)
…………... notes about people and places.
99. "You won’t recognize the old town", my friend told me. "Almost everything (change) ………... since
you last (see) ……………. it. They (build) ……………... a new shopping centre near the park. The old
town hall (destroy) ……………... by a fire about five year ago. They (build) …………... a new one at the
moment. They (build)…………. it for three years in fact, but they (not finish) ……………... it yet". I (be)
…………... back for nearly a month now. And my friend was right. The place looks very different, but
strangely enough it still (feel) ................... the same, because the people that I love are here. I (leave)
……………... again in a few week's time, but I know that even if I (be) ………. away for twenty years
again, this always (be) …………. my home.

VIII. Give the correct form of verbs in brackets

1. (you enjoy)_________________ the film on HTV 7 yesterday afternoon?
2. Before I met him, I (try) ______________ to do it myself.
3. By the time we reached Frankfurt I (already be) ______________ very tired of driving
4. Daisy (eat) _________________ sushi four times.
5. He (not sleep) _____________ last night.
6. He (stop)____________________ smoking for two years but then he started again
7. He (work) _______________ in this factory since he left school.
8. How (he feel) _________________ last Sunday?
9. I (love) __________________ reading when I was a child.
10. I (not see) ________________ Peter recently.
11. I (not be) _____________________ at home yesterday morning.
12. I (not meet) __________________ her for a long time.
13. I (spend) _________________ my holiday in Hue last summer.
14. I don’t think this is new to you. You (know) ___________ about it for a long time.
15. I gave my friend directions to my house, but later realized that I (forget) ____________.
16. I got to work this morning and was angry when I saw that no one (arrive) ____________ yet.
17. In the past, People (live) ____________ in caves.
18. It (rain) _________ every day last week.
19. Mary (never be ) ________________ to an opera before last night.
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Never say die! English
tenses
20. My children (never be ) _________________ to China since 2000
21. She (be) __________________ a teacher before she became a journalist.
22. She (be) _________________ absent from class 2 days ago.
23. She (be) ____________ asleep for about eleven hours. I’m sure she’ll wake up soon.
24. She (live) ________________ here for many years and she loves it.
25. She only understood the movie because she (read) ______________ the book.
26. The earth (move) _____________ around the sun.
27. A few days ago, I (see) ______________ a man at the party whose face (be) ___________ very
familiar. At first I could not think where I (see) _____________ him before. Then suddenly I
(remember) ___________ who he (be) ______________
28. He went to Alaska because he wanted to go somewhere he (not be) ________________ before.
29. I lost the key that he (give) ___________ to me.
30. I went to Peter’s room and (knock) ________________ on the door but there (be) __________ no
answer. Either he (go) _________________ out or he (not want) _______________ to see anyone.
31. Last night, I (just go) _______________ to bed and (read) _______________ a book when suddenly
I (hear) __________ a noise, I (get) ______________ up to see what it was but I (not see)
__________________ anything , so I (go) _________________ back to bed.
32. Last night, I (go) _______________ to a party. When I (get) ______________ there, the room was
full of people. Some of them (dance) _______________ and others (talk) _______________. One
young woman (stand) _______________ by herself. I (never meet) ______________ her, so I
(introduce) _______________ myself to her.
33. She (go) _____________ downstairs because she heard a noise coming from inside the closer
34. The gardens (look)_____________ lovely in the spring.
35. Their family (live) ______________ in Nhatrang 2 years ago.
36. Their students (visit) __________________ many places of scenic beauty in Dalat so far
37. There was a terrible atmosphere in the room. But once I (bring) _______________ the matter out
into the open, everyone seemed much more relaxed.
38. They (begin) ________________ to learn English 2 years ago
39. They (go) ________ to the mountain last winter.
40. They (move) _________ to this place two times.
41. They(not eat) ________meat since they saw that film about farm animals.
42. This cat (catch) _______________ a mouse last night.
43. This is the first time I (be) _________________ to Hanoi.
44. This is the second time Peter (learn )______________ to speak English.
45. This table (be) ________________ broken last week.
46. We (be) _________________ friend since we met each other at university.
47. We (do )_______________ all the homework by 8 last night.
48. We (not watch) _______________ television last night.
49. We (study) ______________ French at school for five years but we didn’t learn very much.
50. We couldn’t send you a postcard from Nice because we (forget) _______ your street address.
51. What (you do) __________________ last Saturday?
52. When I got home, Bill (lie) ________________________ on the sofar. The television was on but he
(not watch) ______________ it . He (fall) _______________________ asleep and (snore)
_______________ loudly. I (turn) _____________ the television off and he (wake)
______________
53. When they came home, Sue (cook ,already) _______________
54. Where (you put) _________________ my pen yesterday?
55. While I was away on holiday, my sister (fall) _______________ ill and I had to come home.

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Never say die! English
tenses
56. Yesterday afternoon Sharon (go) __________ to the station to meet Paul. When she (get)
____________ there, Paul (wait) ______________ for her. His train (arrive) _______________
early.
57. I’ll give him this parcel when he ( come) _______ back here next week.
58. By next month, I (finish )____________________ my first novel.
59. I (wait)……………….. for her until she (finish) _________ the examination.
60. When the police came here the thieves (run ) _________away five minutes before.
61. Diane can’t come to the phone because she (wash) ___________.
62. Until yesterday, I never ( hear)……………………. about it.
63. My father told me he (give up) ……………………..smoking.
64. It’s high time he (go)………………….
65. It’s high time that I (must) ………………… go
66. I’d rather (stay)……………. at home than (work)……………….. for him.
67. At this time next week they (sit)………………….. in the train on their way to Paris.
68. By 1999 this area (be)……………………. turned into an industrial centre.
69. The game (play) ……………….well by both teams last Sunday.
70. Don’t leave until you (talk)……………….. to the headmaster about the problem.
71. If we don’t hurry the sun (rise) ……………….before we (reach)…………….. the top.
72. The radio (play) ……………………since 7 a.m. I wish someone (turn)……………… it off.
73. Children always (do) ………………….things noisily.
74. As a child, he (think)………………… that diamond were pieces of glass.
75. Your hair needs (cut)………………….. You’d better (have)…………….. it done tomorrow.
76. When you (be) ……………out in the rain, you (have)…………………better take off your shoes.
77. They (have) …………………English from nine to ten in this room. Don’t let anyone disturb them then.
78. I think your garden needs (weed)………………… And you’d better (have)…………… it done
tomorrow.
79. They (build) ……………………that bridge when I (be)………. there last year, they haven’t finished it
yet.
80. She shan’t have any pudding until she (eat)…………………… her potatoes.
81. No one (know) …………….when he (come) …………tomorrow, or whether he (come) ………….at all.
82. As Hugh and I (come) …………….down the steps we nearly (run) ……………..into my father.
83. No sooner I (arrive)……………. than I (send)……………….. her a letter to say that I had a present for
her.
84. I’ll get back as soon as I (get)……………….through with my business.
85. Ann (say)………………….she is coming to London next week.
86. There (be)………………… great changes in our village in the past few years.
87. Think carefully. I’m sure you (remember)…………………. his name.
88. Mr. Wilson (make) ………………….some interesting statements yesterday.
89. The noise from the trains (annoy)………………….. me terribly last night.
90. I (search) …………………..everywhere for the pen I (lose) ………………..yesterday.
91. He (serve) ……………………..in the army for ten years, then he retired and married.

IX. Give the correct form of verbs in brackets

1. We (do) ………………. this exercise at the moment.
2. My brother (work) ……………………. in a shoe store this summer.
3. I (have) ……………………… coffee for breakfast every day.
4. The sun (rise) …………………… in the west.
5. We (watch) ………………. the good programme on TV last night.
6. When I (go) …………. out, the sun (shine)……………………
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Never say die! English
tenses
7. After he (leave) ………………….. ,she burst into tears.
8. It’s ages since she (visit) …………….. us.
9. At 7 yesterday I (clean) ……………….. the kitchen.
10. At this time tomorrow, we (sit) ……………. on the flight to London.
11. At this time 3 years ago, we (go) ………………….. on holiday in Hawaii.
12. Before 11 yesterday morning, we (clean) ………………… all the house.
13. Before she (meet) …………….. him, she (be) ………………… married twice.
14. Before you come tomorrow, we (do) ……………… it by ourselves.
15. It’s more than two years since we (get) ……………… married.
16. He (have) ………… dinner when the phone (ring) ………………….
17. He (not drive) ……………. a car since he (have) ………………… a car accident last year.
18. It’s about ten months since I (have) ………………. an accident.
19. How many letters (you write) ………………………. so far?
20. I (do) …………. nothing at this time tomorrow.
21. I (learn) ……….. English for 4 years.
22. I (lie) ……….. peacefully on the beach when it suddenly (start) …………… to rain.
23. I (walk) …………….. the long a street when I (attack) …………………… by some robbers.
24. It’s a long time since we (go) …………………. to Ha Long.
25. They (watch) …….. the film five times but they are still interested in it.
26. How many television sets (you sell) ……………… so far?
27. She (sit) ……………….. the exam at this time next week.
28. What (happen) …………….. to the Earth in the future?
29. How many times (I tell) ……………….……. you not to touch my wallet?
30. What (you do) ……………… at this time last night?
31. It’s the first time we (see). ……………….. such a beautiful picture.
32. It’s the second time they (call) ……………… to disturb us.
33. It’s years since I last (see) ……………………… her.
34. Johnny (live) ……………….. with us for one year.
35. Last night the fire (break) ………………… out when the villagers (sleep) …………….. .
36. My sister (listen) ………….. to music while my brother (do) …………… his homework.
37. My son (do) ……………………. all his homework before 8 last night.
38. She (finish) …………………… her lunch before she (go) ………………….. to school.
39. She (know) …………. that before he (come) ………………… to meet her.
40. When I (see) …………. her, she (cry) …………………. .
41. Since we (meet) ………… her, we (know) ………………….. many interesting things.
42. The doctors (be) …………………… in the operating room since 3 o’clock. They (work)
…………………. in there for more than five hours.
43. The little girl (try) ……………….. to walk when she (fall) …………….. down to the ground.
44. The manager (make) ……………. a speech in a meeting at 9 tomorrow morning.
45. They (move) ………….. all furniture out of the house by last night.
46. This is the first time I (know) …………………. such a lazy person.
47. This is the second time I (be) …………… to London.
48. Tommy (not receive) …………………. any more complaints up to now.
49. We (be) ……..… very tired after we (write) ……………………. four compositions in the same
day.
50. We (call) ………………. them three times but still no one has answered the phone.
51. We (complete) ……………….. the assignment before we (decide)…………….. to go out for the
drink.
52. We (gain) ………………… much success so far.
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Never say die! English
tenses
53. We (prepare) …………. everything for the picnic before my father (return) …………. home from
work.
54. Johnny (live) …………. with us since last month.
55. We (wait) ………………….. for her for ten hours but she hasn’t come yet.
56. Nobody knew what (happen) ………………..the day before.
57. Who (speak)…………………. on the phone over there?
58. The train from Paris never (arrive) ………………..late.
59. What you (do) ………………….when we phoned you yesterday?
60. The building (be) …………………finished by the end of 1994.
61. When we arrived, the train (leave) ……………….the station and we missed it.
62. When I saw him, he (talk) ………………to an old man.
63. Everybody (stop)…………………. laughing when we came in.
64. When she was a student, she (not have)………………… many friends.
65. I heard that you (buy)……………. that house and (move) …………………..there before you got
your promotion.
66. It (rain) ………………all the week and everything (seem) …………………so wet and sad.
67. My grandfather came to visit me. He (like) …………………..to give advice to everyone.
68. Last night I sat beside a man in a café’. He (talk) ………………….all the time about his health.
69. When he came, I (listen)……………………. to the radio.
70. (Write)……………….. six sentences about the change.
71. By next Christmas, I (live)…………………… in London for two years.
72. Our headmaster, whom you (meet) ………………….yesterday, is going to retire at the end of this
term.
73. I (write)……………………. the letter, and perhaps you would post it for me.
74. It (rain)………………….. all day yesterday.
75. Listen. They (learn)…………………….. a new song.
76. When I got to the bus-stop, the bus (just leave)…………………….. .
77. How long you (learn) ……………………….English?
78. Where’s your father? He (work) ……………………..in the garden.
79. Look. The rain (stop)…………………………
80. At this time next month, they (work)………………… in Ho Chi Minh City.
81. I (not disturb) ……………….them until they finished their work.
82. Look. It (rain)……………………..
83. This time last week, they (visit) ……………………..Ha Long Bay.
84. You (see) ……………….this film?
85. They (arrive)……………. in a few minutes.
86. He visited his friends yesterday and found that he (be)……………….. out.
87. After leaving school, he (study) ………………Russian in the Soviet Union for four years.
88. He moved to London last year where he now (live)…………………….
89. They already (repair) ………………………….the old recorder.
90. He refused to admit that he (steal) ……………………..that bicycle.
91. He jumped up as if he (step)……………………….. on fire.
92. She herself saw you (play) ………………………the guitar for that band.
93. It (be)…………………… hours since he left.
94. They already (decide) ………………………to get married.
95. I think she’s the nicest person I (ever meet)……………………
96. He refused to admit that he (made)…………………… some corrections in the document.
97. When Tom and Ann (first meet)…………………?
98. I (speak)…………………… to the Dean several times.
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Never say die! English
tenses
99. Books are expensive. I wish they (be) …………………..cheaper.
100. They (not go) ………………..to the picnic unless someone takes them.
101. John (do) ………………….the test again at the moment because he (not/pass)………………. it
the first time.
102. I wish I (listen)…………….. to your advice last night. When I (be able)……………… to leave
hospital, doctor?
103. He (traffic) ………………in drug across the border when the police (catch)……………….. him
last Sunday.
104. If the train (maintain)……………… this speed, by this time tomorrow we (be)……………….. in
Hue for two hours.
105. Emily never (pay) ……………any attention to the job so far. She (lose)………………… the job
unless she changes her attitude.

X. Give the correct form of verbs in brackets

1. I (meet)……………….Ann’s husband. I (meet)……………..him at a party last night.
2. Carol and I are old friends. I (know)………………….her since I (be)………………a freshman in high
school.
3. The zoo isn’t far from here. I (walk)………………..there many times.
4. When he (come)……………….home, I (talk)…………………to my mother on the phone.
5. I wish we (buy)……………….everything we wanted all the time.
6. Everyday my neighbor (call)…………….me on the phone and (complain)……………….about the
weather.
7. My thirteen – year – old daughter wishes she (be)……………..taller and that she (have)
……………..blond and curly hair.
8. It was a terrible film. I wish we (not go)…………………to see it.
9. When I (arrive)……………….at the airport yesterday, I (meet)………………….by my cousin and a
couple of her friends.
10. These letters (can mail)……………………..at the corner. There (be)…………………a mailbox there.
11. A: What you (do)……………………?
B: I (write)………………..a letter to my parents. I (write)……………….them every weekend.
12. A: Let’s go out.
B: Look, it (snow)……………………outside. It (come)………………down quite hard.
13. A: What time you (usually/ start)…………………….work?
B: Normally we (start)………………work at eight o’clock, but we (start)……………..at seven this
week. We’re very busy at the moment.
14. A: (you/ listen)……………………to the radio?
B: No, you can turn it off.
15. A: I think we’re going the wrong way.
B: I don’t think so. The Sun (rise)………………in the east, remember. It’s behind us so we (travel)
……………….west.
16. A: ………………….(you/look) for someone?
B: Yes, I (need)………………to speak to Neil. Is he in?
A: Yes, but I (think)…………….he is busy. He (talk)………………..to the boss at the moment.
17. A: I (want)……………….a new computer. I (save)……………..up to buy one.
B: But computers (cost)………………..so much money. What’s wrong with the one we’ve got?
A: It (get)………………out of date now.
18. A: Your new dress (look)………………….very nice.
B: Thank you. The trouble is it (not fit)……………………properly. I (not know)………………………
why I bought them, really.
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19. A: What you (do)……………………….?
B: I (weigh)……………………….this letter. I (need)………………..to know how many stamps to put
on it.
20. A: I (think)……………..this road is really dangerous. Look how fast that lorry (go)…………………
B: I (agree)…………………People shouldn’t go so fast.

XI. Circle the best answer

1. Listen! I____________ someone knock on the door.
A. am hearing B. hear C. have heard D. heard
2. We____________ a wonderful time during our last vacation.
A. had B. have had C. had had D. were having
3. My mother____________ in this bookshop for 10 years
A. has worked B. worked C. is working D. was working
4. Newton____________ back to Cambridge in1667.
A. has gone B. was going C. goes D. went
5. My mothers has retired____________
A. for two years B. two years ago C. since D. yet
6. He met her____________
A. so far B. last week C. now D. every day
7. My father____________ TV last night.
A. isn’t watching B. didn’t watch C. doesn’t watch D. don’t watch
8. Mai____________ dinner at the moment
A. has B. is having C. had D. has had
9. My father____________ TV every night.
A. isn’t watching B. didn’t watch C. doesn’t watch D. don’t watch
10. Mai____________ dinner when the light went out
A. has B. is having C. had D. was having
11. They haven’t received their bonuses____________
A. just B. ago C. yet D. now
12. How long____________ you____________ in Kon Tum?
A. lives B. do ... live C. have ..... lived D. had..... lived
13. My mother____________ in a bookshop when she was young.
A. is working B. worked C. has worked D. was working
14. Someone____________ at the door. Can you answer it?
A. knocks B. is knocking C. has knocked D. knocked
15. John____________ at the moment, so he can’t answer the telephone.
A. works B. is working C. has worked D. will work
16. We cleaned up the room as soon as the guests____________
A. had left B. has left C. left D. were
17. Jane’s eyes are red. She____________
A. cried B. has cried C. has been crying D. had cried
18. The concert____________ at 7:15.
A. starts B. is staring C. has started D. is going to start
19. Her family____________ to America before 1975.
A. went B. have gone C. had gone D. would go
20. I____________ my key. Can you help me look for it?
A. lose B. lost C. had lost D. have lost
21. I have learnt English____________ I was nine years old.
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Never say die! English
tenses
A. since B. for C. ago D. yet
22. I____________ him since I____________ a student.
A. know/am B. knew/ was C. have known/was D. knew/ have been
23. I____________ my homework yet.
A. have done B. did C. haven’t done D. A & B are correct
24. Tim____________ a new job.
A. found B. was found C. has found D. has been found
25. Since he left, I____________ nothing from him.
A. heard B. am going to hear C. have been heard D. have heard
29. My parents…………………...a taxi in 3 hours.
A. will take B will took C. will taken D. to take
30. Television__________ very popular since the 1950s.
A. is B. was C. has been D. had been
31. Everyone was asleep when the enemy_____________.
A. was attacking B. attacked C. had attacked D. attacking
32. We were disappointed that most of the guests_________ when we arrived at the party.
A. leave B. left C. have left D. had left
33. Up to now, I _______ a lot information about her.
A. will learn B. would learn C. have learnt D. learnt
34. When I came to visit her last night, she _________ a bath.
A. has B. have C. was having D. is having
35. Wait here until ______ I you.
A. am calling B. am going to call C. call D. will call
36. My parents first _____ each other at the Olympic Games in 1982.
A. have met B. met C. meet D. had met
37. As soon as Martina saw a fire, she __________ the fire department.
A. was telephoning B. telephoned C. had telephoned D. has telephoned
38. My daughter often says that she won’t get married until she_______25 years old.
A. is B. will be C. will have been D. has been
39. It is the largest ship I __________.
A. had seen B. saw C. have ever seen D. see

XII. Choose the best answer to complete each sentence below

1. Tom............. Mary in 1985 and since then they .................. good friends.
a. met / were b. met / have been c. have met / have been d. have met / were
2. I ............... a snack at midnight last night.
a. eat b. ate c. was eating d. have eaten
3. She isn’t here. She ..................... in the living room.
a. sits b. is sitting c. sat d. was sitting
4. Mary ............. her job last month and since then she .................. out of work.
a. lost / was b. lost / has been c. has lost / has been d. has lost / was
5. Where are you? –I’m upstairs. I ..................... a bath.
a. have b. am having c. has d. was having
6. ............... you ................ at home tonight?
a. Did / stay b. Do / stay c. Have / stayed d. Will / stay
7. …………….. the police ……………………. for the criminal now?
a. Is / looking b. Have / looked c. Did / look d. Are / looking
8. They sent some books to my sister and ………………………….. .
a. leave b. were leaving c. left d. have left
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Never say die! English
tenses
9. The police ……………………. the thief recently.
a. have arrested b. has arrested c. arrested d. arrests
10. The phone rang when I ………………… a bath.
a. have b. was having c. has d. am having
11. When I see Tom tomorrow, I …………… him of that.
a. remind b. reminded c. will remind d. would remind
12. I ………………him since last Sunday.
a. haven’t seen b. don’t see c. hadn’t seen d. didn’t see
13. The light ……………… out when I was having tea.
a. will go b. is going c. went d. was going
14. As soon as he finishes his work, he ………………… home.
a. go b. goes c. will go d. would go
15. Light ………………… faster than sound.
a. travel b. travels c. traveled d. is traveling
16. He fell down while he ……………… toward the church.
a. will run b. runs c. was running d. had run
17. They _ _ _ _ _ _ _ in London from 1970 to 1990.
a. lived b. lives c. had lived d. have lived
18. She will be ready when he _ _ _ _ _ _ _ here.
a. will get b. got c. gets d. has got
19. Linda is working in this department. She _ _ _ _ _ _ _ here for 2 years.
a. works b. worked c. had worked d. has worked
20. The children.................football all day yesterday.
a. played b. play c. was playing d. were playing
21. When it began to rain, they ------------- in the yard.
a. played b. were playing c. had played d. have played
22. Be quiet! Their children jigt------------- .
a. is sleeping b. are sleeping c. was sleeping d. were sleeping
23. We ------------- out when the rain stops.
a. will go b. go c. will be going d. is going
24. John ------------- after 6 o’clock.
a. seldom got up b. gets seldom up c. is seldom getting up d. seldom gets up
25. We saw Nga while we ------------- for the bus.
a. were waiting b. was waiting c. is waiting d. are waiting
26. He ------------- an assistant in the laboratory after he had been a bookbinder.
a. has become b. became c. becomes d. is becoming
27. At three o’clock yesterday, Maria _ _ _ _ _ _ _
a. studies b. studying c. has studied d. was studying
28. Where are you? I _ _ _ _ _ _ _ in the garden.
a. were sitting b. was sitting c. am sitting d. will sit
29. When the postman came I _ _ _ _ _ _ _ breakfast
a. was having b. had c. am having d. were having
30. I ............... a cough since yesterday.
a. have b. have had c. had d. was having
31. I've been in this city for a long time. I ..............here sixteen years ago.
a. came b. had come c. was coming d. have
32. Ever since she arrived, she……..quietly in the corner.
a. sat b. has been sitting c. sits d. is sitting
33. This time next week, I……..across the Pacific Ocean.
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Never say die! English
tenses
a. would fly b. am flying c. will be flying d. can fly
34. We didn’t use to get up late when we……..in the countryside.
a. liveb. lived c. are living d. were living
35. By the end of next year, Mr. Park……..for this company for 35 years.
a. will work b. will have worked c. will be working d. has worked
36. After Diego………..lunch, he………..to some music for a while.
a. finished/had listened b. had finished/listened c. finished/listened d. had finished/had listened
37. By the time he retired from work, all his daughters……..married.
a. got b. have got c. would get d. had got
38. They……..together for five years when they decided to get married.
a. had been b. have been c. were d. had being
39. She……..extremely quiet since her husband died.
a. is b. has been c. was d. is being
40. He was writing to his friend when he…………..a noise.
A. was hearing B. heard C. had heard D. hears
41. How much……….these eggs?
A. is B. was C. do D. are
42. He..............busy now; he.............a letter.
A. is, write B. is being, is writing C. is, wrote D. is, is writing
43. When the boss…………., the meeting………
A. arrived, has been beginning B. arrived, has begun
C. was arriving, had begun D. arrived, had begun
44. We ……….here for six months.
A. have been living B. are living C. were living D. live
45. Tim ……….his hair while I……….up the kitchen.
A. was washing, was cleaning B. was washing, cleaned
C. washed , cleaned D. washed, was cleaned
46. He has lived here since he ……….here
A. came B. has came C. comes D. come
47.At this moment, I _____ that we have a good chance of victory.
A. was feeling B. am feeling C. feel D. had been feeling
48. I ____ him ten days ago.
A. see B. saw C. have seen D. will see
49. She _____ so hard this week that she doesn’t have time to go to the hairdresser’s.
A. works B. worked C. has been working D. had worked
50. Mr. John_______ to Los Angeles in 1992.
A. had gone B. has gone C. went D. was going
51. What ______ to you yesterday?
A. happened B. did happen C. had happened D. has happened
52. _____ at home tonight?
A. are you staying B. do you stay C. were you staying D. did you stay
53. We _____ in this house for ten years.
A. are living B. were living C. had lived D. have lived
54. I hope you _____ more carefully in the future.
A. write B. will write C. would write D. wrote
55. Food, air and clothes _______ necessary for life.
A. was B. were C. is D. are

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tenses
XIII. Find ONE mistake in each sentence and correct it
1. When a boy, Tom often plays tennis.

2. After Mrs. Wang had returned to her house from work, she was cooking dinner.

3. The police arrested the man while he is having dinner in a restaurant.

4. I. haven’t had any news of John for 2003.

5. Some people are believing there is life on other planets.

6. I was working really hard in my office yesterday when the electricity is out.

8. For the past two years I did a lot of things.

9. Debbie, whose father is an excellent tennis player, has been playing tennis since ten years.

10. Mary was making a dress when she cuts her finger.

11. Don’t get off the bus until it stopped.

12. The mother will wait outside the school until her son will finish his exam.

13. Mary never went to bed before she has finished her homework.

14. The last time I have seen him was in 1999.

15. Mr. Pike likes traveling. By the time he will be 60, he will have visited 15 countries and capitals.

16. I will tell John about it when I will see him this afternoon.

17. I was listening to the radio when the doorbell was ringing.

18. Last week, when the police came there, the thief went away.

19. Human had struggled against weeds since the beginning of agriculture.

20. Peter and Wendy first met in 2006, and they are married for three years now.

XIV. Give the verbs into the correct form (present perfect progressive)
1. I’m tired because I (feel)………………..………………well lately.
2. We (have) ………………………………… any problems with our car so far.
3. She (go) ………………………………. with anyone for a long time.
4. Unfortunately, I (have)……………………………..much luck in the lottery lately.

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5. My company (make) ………………………………. much money for the past couple of years because it
(try)………………………………hard enough.
6. He (get)…………………………….. good grades on his test for the course because he (study)
………………………….. hard enough.
7. I (get)……………………………….any letters lately because I (send)……………………………….any.
I haven’t had the time.
8. I’m tired because I (sleep)……………………………… enough lately.
9. The patient (take) ………………………..……….penicillin for several days now. However, his
condition (get) ………………………..worse.
10. His mother and father (live) ……………………… together for quite a few years now. They (speak)
…………………………….. to each other for years.

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