Fill in the blanks with an appropriate tense form.
1I waited for my friend until he ...............
Wrong!
Use "came" because the main action is in the past and the until-clause refers to the same past time.
2He ran as quickly as he ...............
Wrong!
Use "could" as the past form of can after the past-tense verb ran.
3He ran away because he ............... afraid.
Wrong!
Use "was" because the reason belongs to the same past situation as ran away.
4He was so tired that he ............... barely stand.
Wrong!
Use "could" because the ability is limited in a past situation.
5After the rain was over, the sun ............... out again.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "shone" and "shined" are acceptable past-tense forms here.
6His health ............... since he left the city.
Wrong!
Use "has improved" with since to show a change from the past up to now.
7Whenever we ..............., we talk of old times.
Wrong!
Use "meet" for a repeated present habit after whenever.
8Wherever he ..............., people gather to listen.
Wrong!
Use "preaches" for a general repeated situation after wherever.
9Galileo maintained that the earth ............... round the sun.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "moves" and "moved" are possible: "moves" states the scientific fact directly, and "moved" is backshifted after maintained.
10Newton discovered that the force of gravitation ............... apples fall.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "makes" and "made" are possible: "makes" states the scientific fact directly, and "made" is backshifted after discovered.
11He rested his horse because it ...............
Wrong!
Use "was limping" to show the continuing past condition that caused him to rest the horse.
12He said that he ............... the examination.
Wrong!
Use "had passed" because a past completed action is backshifted after he said.
Answers
- I waited for my friend until he came.
- He ran as quickly as he could.
- He ran away because he was afraid.
- He was so tired that he could barely stand.
- After the rain was over, the sun shone / shined out again.
- His health has improved since he left the city.
- Whenever we meet, we talk of old times.
- Wherever he preaches, people gather to listen.
- Galileo maintained that the earth moves / moved round the sun.
- Newton discovered that the force of gravitation makes / made apples fall.
- He rested his horse because it was limping.
- He said that he had passed the examination.