Where have you been?

1. Read the paragraph below, paying special attention to the verbs:

Marcy and Pete have lived in Johnstown for ten years. They bought their house
in 2012 when Pete found a job at a small company. Marcy stayed at home for the first four
years with the two children. Then, she got a job at the local school; she has worked there as
a teacher for six years. The kids have been in the same school for a few years. The family
hasn’t travelled recently, but they went to the Canaries last summer for a short holiday.

1. Which of the verb forms in bold do you already know?

2. Do you know the difference between the present perfect and the past simple?
3. Which four verb forms are examples of the present perfect tense?
4. How long have you lived in your town?

2. A Few Grammar Rules to

Start: Part I

In English, we use the present perfect simple to describe past actions within the present
time.

We use have + past participle

The past participle is the verb + ed
OR for irregular verbs, the past participle changes completely.

For example: I have lived in New York for seven years.

Part II

We also use the present perfect simple to express recent finished events, and actions that
began in the past and are still true in the present.

The manager has just hired a new assistant.

I have worked in this company for five
years.

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The present perfect simple is often used with for, since, how long, this, just, already and
yet.

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 Part II

We use the past simple to express finished actions.

We use the verb + ed:

For example: I lived in San Francisco ten years ago.

I walked around the city yesterday.

Be careful of irregular verbs! They change completely in the past simple.

For example: I flew a plane in 2010.

(The verb fly becomes flew)

The past simple is often used with the expressions ago, yesterday, before, last, after and
when.

3. Complete the phrases with the correct form of the past participle to complete the
present perfect form:

announced / rained / finished / been / started / flown / returned / left

1. I have just my homework. It’s all done!

2. The kids have from school and they’re doing their homework.
3. My grandmother has never this country, but she’d like to travel.
4. The TV show has just and will finish in 40 minutes.
5. Mark has by plane several times as he loves traveling.
6. My sisters Melania and Susan have always very close.
7. The boss has a new measure to improve the school.
8. It has all morning and it’s wet outside.

4. Have you ever…? Questionnaire

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the participle of the irregular verb and
answer the questions.

1. Have you ever (be) to the United States?

2. Have you ever (write) a short story?
3. Have you ever (swim) in the Atlantic?
4. Have you ever (drink) whiskey?
5. Have you ever (have) a YouTube channel?
6. Have you ever (read) a good book? Describe it.

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5. Complete the present perfect simple sentences with the correct word:

for / since / ever / yet / just / already / never

1. I haven’t started my English course . It starts next week.

2. Have you been to Brazil? It’s an amazing country!
3. Luke has been a doctor six months. He graduated last April.
4. The children have seen a tiger, so they’re excited to go on safari.
5. Maria has come home right now. She’s putting her bag away.
6. I’ve visited France many times, so I’d like to go to Spain instead.
7. I’ve worked at ABC Company last month, and I like my job.

6. Match the irregular verbs with their participles:

flown / rung / led / brought / fit / lain / ridden / run / fled / fought / bought / laid

buy
bring
fit
fight
fly
flee
lay
lead
lie
ride
ring
run

7. Complete the email from Marcus to Kelly, using the correct form of the verb in the
past simple.

Part I

Dear Kelly,

I’m writing to apologize for missing our video call last night! I (make) a
mistake as I (think) you wanted to meet at 8PM.
I (contact) you via Zoom just after eight o’clock in the evening, but you
online (not / be). After about fifteen minutes, I (call) you on
your phone, but you didn’t pick up.

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 Part II

I then (remember) our appointment was for 7PM!

I was confused because of the time difference. You live in a different time zone, and I
called you too late. By the time I (realize) the mix-up, it (be) really late
and you were probably asleep. I (not call) you to avoid waking you, so I
(send) you a text message instead.
you receive it? I hope you’re not angry with me!

From
Marcus

8. Complete the gaps with one of the past time expressions.

1. The weather was cold and rainy , but today it’s bright, sunny and warm.
2. Mike returned home late night. Don’t wake him too early.
3. The children loved the trip to Disneyland one year !
4. I found my job at ABC Company, I was a student at university.
5. John left the office an hour . Where is he?
6. The family went on holiday to Barbados summer.

9. Choose the best answer for each question.

Yes, there were three people. / No, she wasn’t. / Yes, it was. / Yes, they have. / No, she
hasn’t. / No, it didn’t. / No, he didn’t. / Yes, Michael did.

1. Was it cold last night?

2. Did Jonathan work yesterday?
3. Was your mother from Paris?
4. Did anyone buy some milk?
5. Were there many people at the meeting?
6. Has your sister called yet?
7. Did it snow last night?
8. Have the managers decided on a project?

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10. Complete the sentences with the correct option from the multiple-choice answers:

1. How long at York University?

a) have you studied
b) you studied
c) you have studied

2. Oh, so why to start this course six months ago?

a) have you decided
b) did you decide
c) you decided

3. Yes, I it for my bachelor’s degree at my college in Vienna.

a) have studied
b) study
c) studied

4. Has your adviser to you already about your options for this course?
a) spoke
b) spoken
c) speak

5. you the course outline yesterday?

a) Has she given
b) She gave
c) Did she give

6. How a place two years ago?

a) you got
b) have you got
c) did you get

11. Complete the passage with the negative forms of the verbs in the past simple or
present perfect simple.

Part I
Detective Kramer describes a recent event in Allentown:

Good morning, officers! I’d like to speak about the robbery that took place in Allentown late
last night. There (not be) any crimes here for five years, so it’s a big shock
to the community. As you know, the robbers took money from many shops in this center.
The crime happened late at night, so we (not have) much time to interview
people yesterday. Most of the local residents (not see) anything last night.
Officer Davies spoke to the security guard at the center. He (not be) on duty
at the time of the robbery. We examined recordings from the center’s CCTV cameras, but
we
(not find) anything suspicious so far.

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 Part II
Complete the passage with the negative forms of the verbs in the past simple or present
perfect simple.

However, one recording from a supermarket camera showed images of the robbery. We
(cannot see) the faces of the people in the video, but we saw their clothes
and actions. The first robber took cash from the supermarket register, but the second robber
(not take) any money. Instead, he put products into a large bag. The two
robbers (not appear) to have any weapons. Officer Lindor (not be her
last night, but she is now working on the case with Davies. Please pass any information on to
these two police officers. As we (not have) time to
interview the shop employees last night, we are doing that today. Thanks, and let’s get to
work!

12. Complete the sentences with the present perfect simple / past simple form:

1. I (haven’t seen / didn’t see) you in class last week. Where were you?
2. I wasn’t at university because I (visited / have visited) my brother in
New York City last weekend.
3. I (have been / went) to Los Angeles last February.
4. You said you live in London. How long (have you lived / did you
live) there?
5. When (have you come / did you come) to England? In 2009.
6. I started a business course at The University of London in 2019, so I

(have been / was) a student for two years now.

13. Read the passage and answer the questions on the following slide:

Dea\ Dad,
l hope vou and nom a\e well! ls ese\vthing okav at home? l a\\ised in Los
9ngeles last week, Janua\v xth, and it’s going well so fa\¸ l \egiste\ed at the acting
school on nondav mo\ning¸ Vhe teache\s seem \eallv nice, and thev helped me
unde\stand the cou\se and classes¸ l made a new f\iend called 9li¸
He’s been in the cou\se since ea\lv septembe\¸ He showed me some places in L¸9¸ and
last night, we went to dinne\ at a new segeta\ian \estau\ant¸ Bv the wav, l found an apa\
tment! l mosed in on Janua\v 9th¸ Vhe\e was a lot of noise f\om the ba\ next doo\ last
night, but the place is nea\ the school so that’s g\eat¸
lt’s sundav, Janua\v 1sth todav, so l’m just \elaxing in the apa\tment¸ l’m going
\olle\-skating in the pa\k with some new f\iends late\¸ l miss vou!
Lose f\om Sh\is

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14. Complete the sentences with the correct option from the multiple-choice answers:

1. How long has Chris been in Los Angeles?

a. Since September
b. For six months
c. For a few days
d. Since January 9th

2. Ali has been in the acting course for .

a. A few days
b. Since January 9th
c. For a few months
d. Since Monday

3. When did Chris and Ali have dinner together?

a. In September
b. On January 9th
c. On Saturday
d. On Sunday

4. Chris has lived in the apartment for days.

a. Four
b. Five
c. Six
d. Seven

5. Chris was disturbed by the noisy bar .

a. This morning
b. Yesterday
c. Last week
d. Friday night

15. Grammar check!

Are the following sentences correct? If not, please rewrite them.

1. We have lived in France since four years now.

2. John and Michael went to the bar together yesterday night.

3. We’ve been in the meeting for three hours now.

4. Sandrine has been a student at London College since three weeks.

5. The school director introduced a new teacher last morning.

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16. People were asked “What’s the biggest lie you ever told your mom?” with their moms
standing right next to them. Watch the video and then answer the question yourself.

What's the Biggest Lie You Ever Told Your

Mom?
Watch the video again and fill in the gaps:

1. Maybe that I into our neighbor’s . With their car.

2. I someone by accident and I got a citation.
3. Maybe that I her makeup, and I a lot actually.
4. That she good in a dress even though she .

17. Job interview phrases

Complete these typical job interview questions and answers.

1. How long (were you / have you been) at your current company?
2. (Did / Have) you learned new skills since starting your job?
3. I (improved / have improved) my English last year.
4. What (did you do / have you done) before this job in
project management?
5. Why (did you leave / have you left) that job?
6. I liked that job, but I (wanted / have wanted) to get more skills, so
I accepted a new job at ABC Company.
7. I understand. Have you (worked / work) as a manager in your career?
8. Well, I have supervised a small team (since / for) March.

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