Past simple vs. past continuous
Last summer, Jake and his friends __________ (go) on a camping trip in the mountains. While they __________ (set up) their tents, it suddenly __________ (start) to rain. They quickly __________ (grab) their backpacks and __________ (run) to the nearest shelter. As they __________ (wait) for the storm to pass, they __________ (tell) scary stories and __________ (laugh) loudly.
Last summer, Jake and his friends went on a camping trip in the mountains. While they were setting up their tents, it suddenly started to rain. They quickly grabbed their backpacks and ran to the nearest shelter. As they were waiting for the storm to pass, they told scary stories and laughed loudly.
Last year, we ____ (1. experience) a particularly harsh winter. Temperatures ____ (2. drop) below -10°C for several days, and we ____ (3. not see) such cold in over 20 years. In many regions it ________ (4) their daily routines and ________ (5) major disruptions. Scientists ________ (6) for decades, and they predict that extreme weather events like this ____ (7. occur) more frequently in the future.
Last year, we experienced (1) a particularly harsh winter. Temperatures dropped (2) below -10°C for several days, and we had not seen (3) such cold in over 20 years. In many regions it affected (4) their daily routines and caused (5) major disruptions. Scientists have been studying (6) the effects of climate change for decades, and they predict that extreme weather events like this will occur (7) more frequently in the future.
They __________ (be) excited about the concert because they __________ (buy) the tickets months in advance. When they __________ (arrive) at the venue, they __________ (find out) that the event __________ (cancel) due to technical issues. Many people __________ (already / come) from other cities and __________ (wait) outside. Everyone __________ (feel) disappointed because they __________ (really / look forward to) the show.
They were excited about the concert because they had bought the tickets months in advance. When they arrived at the venue, they found out that the event had been cancelled due to technical issues. Many people had already come from other cities and were waiting outside. Everyone felt disappointed because they had really looked forward to the show.
Choose the correct answer to complete each sentence and explain why.
Choose the correct answer to complete each sentence and explain why.
Last weekend, I __________ (decide) to go hiking in the mountains. I __________ (leave) my house early in the morning, so I __________ (arrive) at the trailhead by 9 AM. It __________ (be) a beautiful day, and the weather __________ (seem) perfect for a hike. As I __________ (walk) up the trail, I __________ (realize) that I __________ (forget) to bring enough water with me. Luckily, I __________ (find) a small stream where I __________ (refill) my bottle.
Last weekend, I __________ (decide) to go hiking in the mountains. I __________ (leave) my house early in the morning, so I __________ (arrive) at the trailhead by 9 AM. It __________ (be) a beautiful day, and the weather __________ (seem) perfect for a hike. As I __________ (walk) up the trail, I __________ (realize) that I __________ (forget) to bring enough water with me. Luckily, I __________ (find) a small stream where I __________ (refill) my bottle.
Answer Key:
Emma __________ (sit) in class when she suddenly __________ (remember) that she __________ (forget) to do her math homework. While the teacher __________ (explain) the lesson, Emma nervously __________ (look) through her notebook. She __________ (try) to stay calm, but her hands __________ (shake) as the teacher __________ (walk) toward her desk.
Emma was sitting in class when she suddenly remembered that she had forgotten to do her math homework. While the teacher was explaining the lesson, Emma nervously looked through her notebook. She was trying to stay calm, but her hands were shaking as the teacher walked toward her desk.
By the end of the century, the average temperature of the Earth ____ (1. increase) by up to 4°C if current trends ____ (2. continue). In the last few years, glaciers ____ (3. melt) at an alarming rate, and many species ____ (4. lose) their habitats. Scientists ____ (5. develop) new technologies to combat global warming, but so far, they ____ (6. not find) a solution to stop it completely. In the future, people ____ (7. rely) more on green technologies to live sustainably.
By the end of the century, the average temperature of the Earth will have increased (1) by up to 4°C if current trends continue (2). In the last few years, glaciers have been melting (3) at an alarming rate, and many species are losing (4) their habitats. Scientists have developed (5) new technologies to combat global warming, but so far, they haven’t found (6) a solution to stop it completely. In the future, people will rely (7) more on green technologies to live sustainably.
By the time Lisa __________ (arrive) at the airport, the plane __________ (already / take off). She __________ (leave) her house late because her alarm __________ (not / go off). When she __________ (reach) the check-in counter, the staff __________ (tell) her that boarding __________ (finish). She __________ (sit) down in the waiting area, wishing she __________ (wake up) earlier.
By the time Lisa arrived at the airport, the plane had already taken off. She had left her house late because her alarm had not gone off. When she reached the check-in counter, the staff told her that boarding had finished. She sat down in the waiting area, wishing she had woken up earlier.
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in parentheses. Then, explain why Past Perfect is used in one of the sentences and Past Simple in the other.
I __________ (not/understand) why he __________ (act) so strangely yesterday. He __________ (sit) at his desk and __________ (stare) at his computer screen for hours, but he __________ (not/say) a word. When I __________ (ask) him if everything __________ (be) okay, he just __________ (nod) and __________ (go) back to work. Later, I __________ (learn) that he __________ (have) a difficult conversation with his boss that morning.
I __________ (not/understand) why he __________ (act) so strangely yesterday. He __________ (sit) at his desk and __________ (stare) at his computer screen for hours, but he __________ (not/say) a word. When I __________ (ask) him if everything __________ (be) okay, he just __________ (nod) and __________ (go) back to work. Later, I __________ (learn) that he __________ (have) a difficult conversation with his boss that morning.
Answer Key:
Leo __________ (celebrate) his birthday last Saturday. While he __________ (talk) with his cousin in the living room, his friends __________ (hide) behind the couch with balloons and party hats. When he __________ (open) the door to the kitchen, everyone __________ (jump) out and __________ (shout), “Surprise!” Leo __________ (laugh) and __________ (say) it was the best birthday ever.
Leo celebrated his birthday last Saturday. While he was talking with his cousin in the living room, his friends were hiding behind the couch with balloons and party hats. When he opened the door to the kitchen, everyone jumped out and shouted, “Surprise!” Leo laughed and said it was the best birthday ever.
Many scientists ____ (1. warn) about the dangers of climate change for many years. Over the past decade, the global temperature ____ (2. rise) by about 1.2°C, and experts say that if we ____ (3. not act) soon, it ____ (4. cause) even more severe consequences. Governments ____ (5. introduce) policies to reduce emissions, but they ____ (6. not do) enough yet. If we continue to ignore the problem, the world ____ (7. face) more extreme weather events in the future.
Many scientists have been warning (1) about the dangers of climate change for many years. Over the past decade, the global temperature has risen (2) by about 1.2°C, and experts say that if we don’t act (3) soon, it will cause (4) even more severe consequences. Governments have introduced (5) policies to reduce emissions, but they haven’t done (6) enough yet. If we continue to ignore the problem, the world will face (7) more extreme weather events in the future.
When the teacher __________ (enter) the classroom, she __________ (notice) that one of the windows __________ (break). None of the students __________ (admit) it, although someone clearly __________ (throw) something. She __________ (ask) the class what __________ (happen), but everyone __________ (remain) silent. Later, the janitor __________ (say) he __________ (see) two boys near the window during break.
When the teacher entered the classroom, she noticed that one of the windows had been broken. None of the students admitted it, although someone clearly had thrown something. She asked the class what had happened, but everyone remained silent. Later, the janitor said he had seen two boys near the window during break.
Which expression can you use to talk about habits or routines that no longer happen?
“Used to” is used to describe past routines or states that no longer happen.
When I __________ (arrive) at the station, the train __________ (already/leave). I __________ (feel) frustrated because I __________ (miss) it by only a few minutes. I __________ (wait) for the next train when I __________ (see) my friend Jane, who __________ (wait) for the same train as well. We __________ (chat) while we __________ (wait), and before we knew it, the train __________ (arrive).
When I __________ (arrive) at the station, the train __________ (already/leave). I __________ (feel) frustrated because I __________ (miss) it by only a few minutes. I __________ (wait) for the next train when I __________ (see) my friend Jane, who __________ (wait) for the same train as well. We __________ (chat) while we __________ (wait), and before we knew it, the train __________ (arrive).
Answer Key:
While Mia __________ (walk) home from the supermarket, she __________ (see) a small dog sitting alone by the road. It __________ (look) cold and hungry. She __________ (decide) to help it, so she __________ (pick up) the dog and __________ (carry) it home. While her brother __________ (prepare) some food, Mia __________ (search) online for missing pet notices.
While Mia was walking home from the supermarket, she saw a small dog sitting alone by the road. It looked cold and hungry. She decided to help it, so she picked up the dog and carried it home. While her brother was preparing some food, Mia searched online for missing pet notices.
In 2020, a powerful hurricane ____ (1. strike) the Caribbean, causing widespread damage. It ____ (2. develop) rapidly, and by the time it ____ (3. hit) land, it ____ (4. become) a category 5 storm. Many people ____ (5. evacuate) their homes to avoid the worst of the storm. Scientists ____ (6. study) the patterns of these storms for years, and they ____ (7. believe) that they will become more intense as the climate continues to warm.
In 2020, a powerful hurricane struck (1) the Caribbean, causing widespread damage. It developed (2) rapidly, and by the time it hit (3) land, it had become (4) a category 5 storm. Many people evacuated (5) their homes to avoid the worst of the storm. Scientists have been studying (6) the patterns of these storms for years, and they believe (7) that they will become more intense as the climate continues to warm.
Tom __________ (realize) he __________ (lose) his wallet when he __________ (try) to pay for his coffee. He __________ (search) all his pockets, but it __________ (completely / disappear). Earlier that day, he __________ (buy) a few items at the bookstore and __________ (take out) his wallet there. He __________ (hurry) back to the shop, but someone else __________ (already / find) it and __________ (hand) it in.
Tom realized he had lost his wallet when he tried to pay for his coffee. He searched all his pockets, but it had completely disappeared. Earlier that day, he had bought a few items at the bookstore and had taken out his wallet there. He hurried back to the shop, but someone else had already found it and handed it in.
By the time they __________ (reach) the hotel, the conference __________ (already/start). They __________ (rush) to the registration desk, but the staff __________ (inform) them that they __________ (miss) the opening session. They __________ (decide) to attend the afternoon session instead, as they __________ (hear) it __________ (be) very interesting. While they __________ (wait) for the next session to begin, they __________ (meet) several colleagues from other companies.
By the time they __________ (reach) the hotel, the conference __________ (already/start). They __________ (rush) to the registration desk, but the staff __________ (inform) them that they __________ (miss) the opening session. They __________ (decide) to attend the afternoon session instead, as they __________ (hear) it __________ (be) very interesting. While they __________ (wait) for the next session to begin, they __________ (meet) several colleagues from other companies.
Answer Key:
Yesterday morning, we __________ (sit) in English class when our teacher suddenly __________ (announce) a surprise test. Some students __________ (complain), but most of us __________ (start) writing immediately. While I __________ (try) to remember the vocabulary, my classmate __________ (whisper) questions to the person next to her. The test __________ (finish) quickly, but we all __________ (feel) nervous about our results.
Yesterday morning, we were sitting in English class when our teacher suddenly announced a surprise test. Some students complained, but most of us started writing immediately. While I was trying to remember the vocabulary, my classmate was whispering questions to the person next to her. The test finished quickly, but we all felt nervous about our results.
This year, many activists ____ (1. take) part in protests around the world to raise awareness about the climate crisis. Over the last few years, more and more people ____ (2. become) aware of the importance of reducing plastic waste. By 2030, it is predicted that many countries ____ (3. ban) single-use plastics, and the use of renewable energy sources ____ (4. increase) significantly. We ____ (5. make) some progress, but there is still a long way to go. The situation ____ (6. improve) only if people ____ (7. take) immediate action.
This year, many activists have taken (1) part in protests around the world to raise awareness about the climate crisis. Over the last few years, more and more people have become (2) aware of the importance of reducing plastic waste. By 2030, it is predicted that many countries will have banned (3) single-use plastics, and the use of renewable energy sources will have increased (4) significantly. We have made (5) some progress, but there is still a long way to go. The situation will improve (6) only if people take (7) immediate action.
Emma __________ (be) nervous because she __________ (forget) to submit her assignment on time. Her laptop __________ (crash) the night before, and she __________ (not / save) the file. When her teacher __________ (ask) for the homework, she __________ (explain) what __________ (happen). Luckily, the teacher __________ (understand) and __________ (give) her an extra day.
Emma was nervous because she had forgotten to submit her assignment on time. Her laptop had crashed the night before, and she had not saved the file. When her teacher asked for the homework, she explained what had happened. Luckily, the teacher understood and gave her an extra day.
Choose the correct tense and explain why it is used.
Last night, while I __________ (watch) my favorite TV show, I __________ (get) a call from my friend who __________ (want) to go to a concert. I __________ (be) surprised because I __________ (not/expect) any plans for the evening. We __________ (talk) for a while, and I __________ (decide) to join her, even though I __________ (already/make) other plans. We __________ (have) a great time at the concert!
Last night, while I __________ (watch) my favorite TV show, I __________ (get) a call from my friend who __________ (want) to go to a concert. I __________ (be) surprised because I __________ (not/expect) any plans for the evening. We __________ (talk) for a while, and I __________ (decide) to join her, even though I __________ (already/make) other plans. We __________ (have) a great time at the concert!
Answer Key: