Fill in the blanks.
1I ............... this novel for a couple of days, but I haven't finished it yet.
Wrong!
Use "have been reading" for an activity that started recently and is still in progress.
2He ............... from the US, so we can meet him tomorrow.
Wrong!
Use "has returned" for a completed action with a present result.
3The child ............... enough and is ready to go out.
Wrong!
Use "has slept" when the focus is on the completed amount of sleep.
4I ............... them for a long time.
Wrong!
Use "have known" because "know" is a state verb and is not normally used in the continuous here.
5It ............... for hours, and the streets are flooded.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "has rained" and "has been raining" are correct with "for hours," though the continuous form emphasizes the ongoing action.
6He ............... in this town for twenty years.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "has lived" and "has been living" are correct for a situation that began in the past and continues now.
7You ............... me any help.
Wrong!
Use "have never offered" for something that has not happened at any time up to now.
8The police ............... the thief, so the neighborhood is safer now.
Wrong!
Use "have arrested" for a completed action with an important present result.
9He ............... from the police for months, and they still cannot find him.
Wrong!
Use "has been hiding" to emphasize an ongoing situation that started in the past and continues now.
10I ............... the money, so it should arrive soon.
Wrong!
Use "have sent" for a completed action with a present result.
11He ............... his leg and cannot play football today.
Wrong!
Use "has broken" for a completed event that affects the present.
12They ............... the job, so they can go home now.
Wrong!
Use "have finished" because the focus is on the completed job.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- I have been reading this novel for a couple of days, but I haven’t finished it yet.
- He has returned from the US, so we can meet him tomorrow.
- The child has slept enough and is ready to go out.
- I have known them for a long time.
- It has rained / has been raining for hours, and the streets are flooded.
- He has lived / has been living in this town for twenty years.
- You have never offered me any help.
- The police have arrested the thief, so the neighborhood is safer now.
- He has been hiding from the police for months, and they still cannot find him.
- I have sent the money, so it should arrive soon.
- He has broken his leg and cannot play football today.
- They have finished the job, so they can go home now.

