Complete the sentences using the verbs in brackets. Use the present perfect where possible. Otherwise use the past simple.
1
I can't get in.
BI my key.
💡 lose
📖 Present perfect for a past action with a present result (the key is still lost now).
2
The office is empty now.
BEverybody home.
💡 go
📖 Present perfect for a completed action with a present result (they are at home now).
3
I meant to call you last night, but I .
💡 forget
📖 Past simple because the time reference 'last night' is finished and specific.
4
Mary to Egypt for a holiday, but she's back home in England now.
💡 go
📖 Past simple because the action is completed and she has returned (not 'has gone' which would mean she is still there).
5
AAre you OK?
BYes, I a headache, but I feel fine now.
💡 have
📖 Past simple because the headache is finished ('but I feel fine now' shows it's over).
6
Can you help us? Our car .
💡 break down
📖 Present perfect for a recent action with a present result (the car is broken now).
A
Put the verb into the correct form, present perfect or past simple.
1
(stop)
Itraining for a while, but now it's raining again.
📖 Past simple because 'for a while' refers to a finished period in the past.
2
(change)
The town is very different now. Ita lot.
📖 Present perfect because the change happened in the past but the result is visible now.
3
(forget)
I did German at school, but Imost of it now.
📖 Present perfect because the forgetting is complete and the result is present ('now').
4
(arrest)
The policethree people, but later they let them go.
📖 Past simple because 'later' shows the action is finished and in a completed time frame.
5
(improve)
What do you think of my English? Do you think it?
📖 Present perfect because we are asking about change up to now.
6
A: Are you still reading the paper?
(finish)
B: No, Iwith it. You can have it.
📖 Present perfect because the action is just completed and the result is present (the paper is available now).
7
(apply)
Ifor a job as a tourist guide, but I wasn't successful.
📖 Past simple because the action is finished and 'wasn't' shows completed past time.
8
(be)
Where's my bike? Itoutside the house, but it's not there now.
📖 Past simple because the bike was there before but isn't now (finished state).
9
(be)
Look! There's an ambulance over there. Therean accident.
📖 Present perfect because the accident happened recently and the evidence is visible now.
10
Jim: Have you heard about Ben?
(happen)
Bob: No, whatto him
📖 Present Perfect to ask questions about news.
11
(follow on from qu. 10)
(fall)
Jim: Heoff a ladder.
📖 Past simple because it describes the specific past event that caused the injury.
B
Are these sentences right or wrong? Write OK if you think they are right or correct THE WRONG SECTION where necessary like in these 2 examples. Example 1: 'I have been to work today' – this is correct, so write 'OK'. Example 2 – 'Have you been to work yesterday' – this is wrong, so write 'Did you go'
1
My mother has grown up in Scotland.
📖 Past simple is needed because 'grow up' describes a completed life stage, not a present result.
2
Ow! I've cut my finger. It's bleeding.
📖 Present perfect is correct for a recent action with a present result (it's bleeding now).
3
The Chinese have invented paper.
📖 Past simple is needed because this is a finished historical event at a specific time in the past.
4
Albert Einstein has been the scientist who has developed the theory of relativity.
📖 Past simple is needed because Einstein is dead and these are finished historical facts.
5
Mary isn't at home. She's gone shopping.
📖 Present perfect 'has gone' is correct because it means she went and is still away.
6
Where have you been born?
📖 Past simple is needed because birth is a single completed event in the past.
7
Drugs have become a big problem everywhere.
📖 Present perfect is correct because this describes a change that continues to the present.
8
How many plays has Shakespeare written?
📖 Past simple is needed because Shakespeare is dead and the time period is finished.
9
Do you know about Sue? She's given up her job.
📖 Present perfect is correct because the action is recent and the result is current.