Complete the following sentences using an appropriate phrase.
1The peasant told the traveler that the weather was stormy and the way ............... long.
Wrong!
In reported speech after a past reporting verb, the present simple usually changes to the past simple, so the correct answer is "was".
2The only inhabitants of the village said that they ............... anyone cross the hills in deep snow.
Wrong!
The past perfect shows an earlier experience before the past reporting verb, so the correct answer is "had never known".
3He was so tired that he ............... barely stand.
Wrong!
Use "could" to express ability in the past, so the correct answer is "could".
4If you had asked me, I ............... you with pleasure.
Wrong!
A third conditional result uses "would have helped", so the correct answer is "would have helped".
5I was going to have lunch when they ............... me.
Wrong!
The past simple describes the completed interruption, so the correct answer is "called".
6No one could explain how the prisoner ............... from the prison.
Wrong!
The past perfect shows that the escape happened before the explanation, so the correct answer is "had escaped".
Answers
- The peasant told the traveler that the weather was stormy and the way was long.
- The only inhabitants of the village said that they had never known anyone cross the hills in deep snow.
- He was so tired that he could barely stand.
- If you had asked me, I would have helped you with pleasure.
- I was going to have lunch when they called me.
- No one could explain how the prisoner had escaped from the prison.
