1My friend ............... for about a month.
Wrong!
Use "has been ill" for a state that began in the past and continues now.
2He said that he ............... her the year before.
Wrong!
Use "had seen" because the seeing happened before the past reporting verb.
3I ............... my work before he came to see me.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "finished" and "had finished" are possible because "before" clearly shows the order of the two past actions.
4He ............... before his mother arrived.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "left" and "had left" are possible because "before" clearly shows that his leaving happened first.
5The show ............... before we reached the venue.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "began" and "had begun" are possible because "before" clearly shows the sequence of past events.
6He ............... his wealth shortly after he had inherited it.
Wrong!
Use "squandered" for the later past action after the earlier inheritance.
7When I got there, I found that the tiger ............... .
Wrong!
Use "had disappeared" because the tiger disappeared before I got there.
8He lost his temper before I ............... a word.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "said" and "had said" are possible because "before" clearly shows the order of the past events.
9My friend ............... in Mumbai since 1990.
Wrong!
Use "has been working" for an action that started in the past and continues now.
10He ............... for you since 8 o'clock.
Wrong!
Use "has been working" because "since 8 o'clock" refers to an action continuing from a past time to now.
11I ............... to school by bus.
Wrong!
Use "go" for a regular habit or routine.
12I ............... him to go.
Wrong!
Use "told" because it is followed by a personal object and an infinitive.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- My friend has been ill for about a month.
- He said that he had seen her the year before.
- I finished / had finished my work before he came to see me.
- He left / had left before his mother arrived.
- The show began / had begun before we reached the venue.
- He squandered his wealth shortly after he had inherited it.
- When I got there, I found that the tiger had disappeared .
- He lost his temper before I said / had said a word.
- My friend has been working in Mumbai since 1990.
- He has been working for you since 8 o’clock.
- I go to school by bus.
- I told him to go.

