Simple Past, Present Perfect and Past Perfect

A

100

The Chinese (invented/have invented) paper.

invented (simple past--historical fact)

200

They (finished/had finished) eating dinner by the time I got home.

had finished (past perfect--past even completed before a second past event) 

300

At last, I ___ my project. Now I can take a break. a. completed b. had completed c. have completed d. was completed

c. have completed (present perfect--recent completed action)

400

When I (open) the window, the cat jumped in.

opened (simple past--past actions connected to each other)

500

Find the mistake: He is said to catch the train for Chicago at seven yesterday morning, but nobody knows of his wherebouts now.

catch → have caught (past perfect--reported speech of completed past action)

B

100

This is the third piece of cake that you (ate/have eaten) today.

have eaten (present perfect--from past until present)

200

When they (arrived/have arrived) at the party, Sue (already went/had already gone) home.

arrived, had already gone (past perfect--past even completed before a second past event)

300

When I ___ shut off my computer, it crashed. a. tried to b. had tried to c. have tried to d. try to

a. tried to (simple past--past actions connected to each other)

400

He can’t drive us today because he (lost) his car keys.

has lost (present perfect--recent past action affecting/related to past)

500

Find the mistakte: I studied English for the past five years, but I still have difficulty speaking and writing.

studied → have studied (present perfect--from past until present)

C

100

She (died/has died) four months ago.

died (simple past--completed action, finished time period)

200

When he (slammed/had slammed) the door, the picture (fell/has fallen) off the wall.

slammed, fell (simple past--past actions connected to each other)

300

How many times ___ to this CD today? a. were you listening b. had you listened c. have you listened d. do you listen

c. have you listened present perfect--from past until present

400

When I (finish) washing the dishes, I did some vacuuming.

had finished (past perfect--unconnected past actions)

500

Find the mistake: He had given me the report but I haven’t looked at it at all yet.

had given → gave

D

100

My notebook isn’t here anymore. Someone (took/has taken) it.

has taken (present perfect--recent past action affecting/related to present)

200

She said she (paid/had paid) the bill a week before.

had paid (past perfect--reported speech of completed past action)

300

She said that her husband ___ fishing the previous night. a. had go b. has gone c. would go d. had gone

d. had gone (past perfect--reported speech of completed past actions)

400

The police found that the criminal (leave) his house at least two hours before the robbery took place.

had left (past perfect--past even completed before a second past event)

500

Find the mistake: When I was in high school, I had often wished to be taller.

had often wished → often wished (simple past--completed action, finished time period)

E

100

The car industry (suffered/has suffered) huge losses since the factory workers began their strike.

has suffered (present perfect--from past until present)

200

How long (were you/have you been) a doctor?

have you been (present perfect--from past until present)

300

When I ___ dinner, I sat down to watch TV. a. ate b. had eaten c. have eaten d. was eating

b. had eaten (past perfect--unconnected past actions)

400

At last I (finish) all the homework exercises.

have finished (present perfect--recent completed action)

500

Find the mistake: He has wished to remarry, but ended up not doing so, probably because of his daughter’s objections.

has wished → had wished (past perfect--unrealized past hope)