A
Then I (take) the tray of food across the hallway into her flat, and place it across her legs as she (sit) propped up against a bank of pillows. I (sit) down beside her — technically on the bed, you see, rather than in it — and we (eat) our little supper together, side by side, for all the world like a couple who (marry) for thirty years or
Answer:
Then I would take the tray of food across the hallway into her flat, and place it across her legs as she sat propped up against a bank of pillows. I would sit down beside her — technically on the bed, you see, rather than in it — and we would eat our little supper together, side by side, for all the world like a couple who had been married for thirty years or more.
Explanation: The use of "would" expresses a repeated or habitual action in the past. "Had been married" is past perfect, indicating a state completed before the moment in time described.
I (always associate) television with sickness.
Answer:
I have always associated television with sickness.
Explanation: Present perfect is used to indicate an action that started in the past and continues into the present, showing the ongoing association.
I (come) up from London as soon as I heard the news and for the first time in many years I (stay) under my parents’ roof.
Answer:
I came up from London as soon as I heard the news and for the first time in many years I was staying under my parents’ roof.
Explanation: "Came" is past simple because the action happened at a specific point in the past. "Was staying" is past continuous to show an ongoing action during a specific time in the past.
While she (make) this purchase I (get) out of the car and wander down the almost deserted High Street.
Answer:
While she was making this purchase I would get out of the car and wander down the almost deserted High Street.
Explanation: "Was making" is past continuous, indicating an ongoing action in the past. "Would get" expresses a habitual action in the past (similar to “used to” but with a different nuance).
The very sight of these books (never fail) to fill me with wonder: they (seem) to imply the existence of a distant world populated by beautiful, talented people and devoted to the most high-minded literary ideals.
Answer:
The very sight of these books had never failed to fill me with wonder: they seemed to imply the existence of a distant world populated by beautiful, talented people and devoted to the most high-minded literary ideals.
Explanation: "Had never failed" is past perfect, showing that the action was a consistent, repeated experience in the past. "Seemed" is past simple, describing what was perceived at a particular moment.
Late in November, just a few days after she (be) to see her doctor for the second time, the Tory party leadership crisis (come) to a head and Mrs. Thatcher (force) to resign.
Answer:
Late in November, just a few days after she had been to see her doctor for the second time, the Tory party leadership crisis came to a head and Mrs. Thatcher was forced to resign.
Explanation: "Had been" is past perfect, indicating an action completed before another event in the past. "Came" is past simple, referring to a single event in the past, and "was forced" is passive voice in the past, showing that she was compelled by circumstances.
You (must give) it some thought.’ And of course I (give) it thought.
Answer:
You must have given it some thought.’ And of course I had given it thought.
Explanation: "Must have given" is used to express deduction or conclusion about a past action. "Had given" is past perfect, indicating the action was completed before another event in the past.
I really think it (be) best if you (could make) the effort.
Answer:
I really think it would be best if you could make the effort.
Explanation: "Would be" is used to express a suggestion or hypothetical situation, and "could make" is used to indicate a possibility or ability in the past or hypothetical scenario.
Could they (catch) up with him already, if the burglary (take) place last night? It (be) possible.
Answer:
Could they have caught up with him already, if the burglary had taken place last night? It was possible.
Explanation: "Could have caught" is used for speculation about a past action, implying that it was possible but we don’t know if it happened. "Had taken" is past perfect, indicating an action that had already occurred before another event in the past. "Was" is simple past, referring to the state of possibility in the past.
What ( she can say), to hurt you so badly?
Answer:
‘What could she have said, to hurt you so badly?’
Explanation: "Could have said" is used to speculate about a past action that could have occurred but is not certain. It is used to express regret or wonder about what might have happened in the past.