Past Simple or Past Perfect
The police arrived after the thief __________ (escape).
had escaped
The police found an important __________ at the crime scene.
The murderer __________ be guilty. There is no evidence.
(can't or must)
can't
The criminal __________ (break into) the house and stole a gun.
broke into
The story was very __________ because nobody expected the ending.
(thrilling or unimportant)
thrilling
The judge sentenced the murderer after the jury __________ (hear) all the clues.
had heard
The person who steals things is a __________.
thief
You __________ keep quiet in court.
(must or might)
must
The police realised that the murderer __________ (escape) before they arrived.
had escaped
The plot was __________, but the crime seemed real.
(imaginary or ordinary)
imaginary
The victim fainted because someone __________ (attack) him.
had attacked
The judge decided how to __________ the criminal.
punish
The thief __________ have escaped through the back door.
(might or mustn’t)
might
The thief grabbed the bag and __________ (run away).
ran away
The journalist wrote about an __________ crime case.
(ancient or amusing)
ancient
The police __________ (capture) the thief who had broken into the house.
captured
The police tried to __________ the truth about the case.
uncover / put together
The suspect __________ defend himself during the trial.
(can or mustn't)
can
The suspect __________ (be able to) avoid the police because they had no clues.
was able to
The setting of the crime story was dark and __________.
(awful or suitable)
awful
By the time the court discovered the cause of death, the murderer __________ (run away).
had run away
The __________ listened carefully before deciding if the man was guilty or innocent.
jury
The victim __________ have screamed, but nobody heard anything.
(may or must)
may
After the attacker __________ (make a noise), the victim screamed.
had made a noise
The main character wondered if he __________ trust the judge.
(could or mustn't)
could