Show:
Simple or perfect?
Spot the tense
Best option wins
100
We had already eaten when John (come) ________ home.
Simple past / Came
100
The robbers (leave) _______ the bank when the policemen finally (arrive)______.
had left - past perfect / arrived - simple past The robbers had left the bank when the policemen finally arrived.
100
I didn't recognise / hadn't recognised Sue, because she cut / had cut her hair.
didn't recognise - had cut
200
Last year Juan (pass) ________ all his exams.
Simple past / passed
200
When the rain (start)_____, the Atkinsons (finish)______ planting trees.
started - simple past / had finished - past perfect When the rain started, the Atkinsons had finished planting trees.
200
I arrived / had arrived at the shop at 6.45, but it already closed / had already closed
arrived - had already closed
300
I opened my handbag to find that I (forget) ________ my credit card.
Past perfect / had forgotten
300
By the time Rebecca (go) ______ into the store, she (get) _____ soaked.
went - simple past / had got - past perfect By the time Rebecca went into the store, she had got soaked.
300
David didn't play / hadn't played the match because he hurt / had hurt his leg.
didn't play - had hurt
400
We got home to find that someone (break) ________ into the house.
Past perfect / had broken
400
Sonny (get) _____ fainted by the time the ambulance (reach) _______ the hospital.
had got - past perfect / reached - simple past Sonny had got fainted 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
500
I opened the fridge to find that someone (eat) ________ all my chocolate.
Past perfect / had eaten
500
I (not / think) _____ of having a new house before I (see) ______ that ad on TV.
hadn't thought - past perfect / saw - simple past I hadn't thought of having a new house before I saw that ad on TV.
500
When he had finished / finished his dinner he sat down / had sat down to watch TV.
had finished - sat down