Show:
past perfect
past simple/past perfect
Best option wins
Simple or perfect?
100

They took a shower after they ___________________ (finish) working out at the gym.

They took a shower after they had finished working out at the gym.

100

When the police ________ (arrive), the robbers ___________ (already / leave) the bank.


When the police arrived, the robbers had already left the bank.

100
I didn't recognise / hadn't recognised Sue, because she cut / had cut her hair.
didn't recognise - had cut
100
We had already eaten when John (come) ________ home.
Simple past / Came
200

Mary ___________________ (give) me Tony's address before she left.

Mary had given me Tony's address before she left.

200

When the rain ______ (start), Bob _________ (already / finish) cutting the grass.

When the rain started, Bob had already finished cutting the grass.

200

I arrived / had arrived at the shop at 6.45, but it already closed / had already closed

arrived - had already closed

200
Last year Juan (pass) ________ all his exams.
Simple past / passed
300

Bob was sorry that he _______ (not tell) me the story.

Bob was sorry that he had not told me the story.

300

By the time Rebecca _________ (arrive) at the work, she ____________ (already / read) the report.

By the time Rebecca arrived at work, she had already read the report.

300
David didn't play / hadn't played the match because he hurt / had hurt his leg.
didn't play - had hurt
300
I opened my handbag to find that I (forget) ________ my credit card.
Past perfect / had forgotten
400

Nobody came to the meeting because Angela __________________ (forget) to tell anyone about it.

Nobody came to the meeting because Angela had forgotten to tell anyone about it.

400

Sonny ________ (pass out) by the time the ambulance (reach) _______ the hospital.

Sonny had passed out by the time the ambulance reached the hospital.

400
When I looked / had looked everywhere for my car keys, I started / had started to panic.
had looked - started
400
We got home to find that someone (break) ________ into the house.
Past perfect / had broken
500

Paul didn't say that he ___________________ (take) Albert's watch.

Paul didn't say that he had taken Albert's watch.

500

I (not / think) _____ of buying a new car before I (see) ______ that ad on TV.

I hadn't thought of buying a new car before I saw the ad on TV.

500
When he had finished / finished his dinner he sat down / had sat down to watch TV.
had finished - sat down
500

I opened the fridge to find that someone (eat) ________ all my chocolate.

Past perfect / had eaten