English Grammar Quiz: Past And Present Tenses (Long Version)

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| By Catherine Halcomb
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1. Present simple or Past simple It ......................................... (be) a wonderful day yesterday.

Explanation

"yesterday" = past time reference

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About This Quiz
English Grammar Quiz: Past And Present Tenses (Long Version) - Quiz

Here we are with another English grammar quiz on tenses. When we speak about an activity that is currently happening, we use the present tense, and if it... see moreis an event that took place in the past, we use the past tense. Below is a set of questions designed to test a student’s understanding of the two types of sentence formatting. Why don’t you give it a try and get to understand more about past and present tenses? All the best!
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2. Present simple or Past simple I .............................. (use) to play soccer, now I don't have time.

Explanation

The correct answer is "used". In this sentence, the speaker is talking about a past habit or action that they no longer do. The word "used" is the past simple form of the verb "use", which is used to indicate past habits or actions.

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3. Present simple or Past simple David .................................... (start) school ten years ago.

Explanation

"Ago" = past time reference

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4. Change the verb into their progressive form (-ing) Die =

Explanation

The verb "die" has been changed into its progressive form by adding "-ing" at the end, resulting in "dying". This form indicates that the action of dying is ongoing or in progress.

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5. This rises at the beginning of the performance and comes down at the end. It is a _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

Explanation

The given correct answer is "curtain." A curtain is a piece of fabric that is used to separate the stage from the audience in a theater. It is typically raised at the beginning of a performance to reveal the stage and then lowered at the end to signify the end of the performance.

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6. I was reading a book while John ______ (watch) television

Explanation

The correct answer is "was watching" because the sentence is describing an ongoing action in the past. The verb "watch" is in the past continuous tense to show that John was actively engaged in watching television while the speaker was reading a book.

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7. Yesterday I saw an old man. He ________ (walk) his dog.

Explanation

The correct answer is "was walking" because the sentence is in the past tense and the action of the old man walking his dog was ongoing in the past. The past continuous tense, formed with "was/were + verb-ing," is used to describe actions that were in progress at a specific time in the past.

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8. Google is not the only _____ engine. There are many!!

Explanation

The given answer "search" is correct because it completes the sentence in a logical and grammatically correct way. The sentence states that Google is not the only ______ engine, implying that there are other engines in existence. The word "search" fits perfectly in the blank, as it refers to the type of engine that Google is known for - a search engine. This answer also aligns with the context provided in the sentence, which mentions that there are many such engines.

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9. Sam! Get your shoes ******* now.

Explanation

The correct answer is "on,off" because the sentence is asking Sam to get his shoes, indicating that they are currently off. The word "on" suggests that Sam should put his shoes on, while the word "off" implies that they are currently not on his feet. Therefore, the correct answer is a combination of both options, indicating that Sam should put his shoes on and then take them off.

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10. The actors and actresses wear these. They are _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

Explanation

Actors and actresses wear costumes for their performances. Costumes are an essential part of a production as they help create the characters and bring the story to life. They can include clothing, accessories, and props that reflect the time period, setting, and personality of the characters. Costumes help the audience visually understand and connect with the characters, enhancing the overall theatrical experience.

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11. She _______ (leave) the house when the telephone rang.

Explanation

The correct answer is "was leaving" because the action of leaving the house was already in progress when the telephone rang. The past continuous tense "was leaving" is used to describe an ongoing action in the past.

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12. Alex ______ (drive) to work. It was raining heavily.

Explanation

The correct answer is "was driving" because the sentence is in the past tense and the action of driving is ongoing. The use of "was" indicates that the action was happening at a specific point in the past, while "driving" is the correct verb form to match the subject "Alex". The mention of heavy rain suggests that the action was happening in the past continuous tense.

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13. We didn't like the film at all. So we _____ (stand) up and went home.

Explanation

The correct answer is "stood" because the sentence is in past tense and the verb "stand" needs to be conjugated to match the subject "we". Additionally, the sentence indicates that the action of standing up and going home happened after not liking the film, which further supports the use of past tense.

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14. I tried to call him but I couldn't get *******. I'll try again tomorrow.

Explanation

The word "through" in this context means to successfully make contact with someone via a phone call. The speaker attempted to call the person but was unable to reach them. The word "through" implies that the speaker was unable to establish a connection or have a conversation with the person they were trying to call. They express their intention to try again in the future.

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15. Present simple or Past simple Sarah usually ............................ (walk) to school.

Explanation

It is a habitual action

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16. The ______ went wild when U2 appeared on stage!

Explanation

The word "crowd" is the correct answer because it refers to a large group of people. In the given sentence, it is mentioned that the crowd went wild when U2 appeared on stage, indicating that the audience reacted enthusiastically and excitedly to their performance.

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17. Past progressive or Past simpleShe was so sad because her dog ______ (not come) back home yesterday

Explanation

The correct answer is "didn't come" or "did not come". Both options are in the past simple tense and are used to indicate an action that did not happen in the past. In this case, the sentence is referring to the dog not coming back home yesterday, which is a specific event in the past. The past progressive tense would be used if the sentence described an ongoing action in the past, such as "She was so sad because her dog was not coming back home yesterday." However, since the sentence is referring to a specific event, the past simple tense is more appropriate.

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18. Do you want to go for a walk?

Explanation

The given response "Sure!" suggests that the person is willing and enthusiastic about going for a walk.

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19. ______________ when I saw Neil. I stopped and had a chat.

Explanation

The correct answer is "I was running" because the sentence is in the past continuous tense, indicating an ongoing action in the past. The phrase "when I saw Neil" suggests that the action of running was interrupted by the sight of Neil, leading to the decision to stop and have a chat. The other options ("I run," "I ran," "I were running") do not accurately convey the ongoing nature of the action in the past.

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20. When I woke up this morning _________________

Explanation

The use of "when" in the sentence suggests that the action of waking up and the action of raining were happening simultaneously. Therefore, the correct answer is "it was raining" as it indicates that the rain was already in progress when the person woke up.

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21. He is amazing! He sings really well that's why he is the _____ singer!

Explanation

The given sentence states that the person being described is amazing and sings really well. This is why he is referred to as the "lead" singer. The term "lead" in this context indicates that this person is the main or primary singer in a group or band.

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22. Present simple or Past simple It ........................... (rain) all day last Sunday..

Explanation

"Lats Sunday" = past event

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23. I got ******* the 6.15 to Liverpool Street instead of the 6.20 to King's Cross.

Explanation

The word "on" in this context indicates that the person took the 6.15 train to Liverpool Street instead of the 6.20 train to King's Cross. It suggests that the person made a mistake or chose the wrong train, possibly due to confusion or lack of attention.

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24. What's the book you're reading _ _ _ _?

Explanation

not-available-via-ai

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25. Present simple or Past simple My friend ........................... (get) good tests results. She is very intelligent.

Explanation

Habitual actions

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26. Change the verb into their progressive form (-ing) Begin =

Explanation

The correct answer is "Beginning." The verb "begin" is being changed into its progressive form by adding "-ing" at the end, resulting in "beginning."

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27. Frank ________ to travel a lot when he was younger. 

Explanation

The correct answer is "didn't use" because the sentence is in the past tense and the word "didn't" is the negative form of the auxiliary verb "did." This is used to indicate that Frank did not engage in the action of traveling a lot when he was younger.

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28. I ________________ shopping when I ______________ John.

Explanation

The correct answer is "was doing - met". This is because the sentence is in the past continuous tense, indicating an ongoing action in the past. "Was doing" indicates the ongoing action of shopping, while "met" indicates a specific event that happened during that ongoing action.

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29. He ____________________ away most of his money to charity.

Explanation

'Give away' significa dar algo como se fosse um presente.
'He gave away most of his money to charity' - Ele deu grande parte de seu dinheiro para caridade. 'Giveaway', observe que é uma única palavra nesse caso e pode ser traduzido como 'brinde'. 'I bought the computer and got the mouse as a giveaway' - Eu comprei o computador e ganhei o mouse de brinde.

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30. The ______ rose and the show began.

Explanation

The correct answer is "curtain" because it is the most logical choice to complete the sentence. The sentence suggests that something rose, which implies that it was covering or hiding something. The word "curtain" fits this description perfectly as it is commonly used to cover or reveal a stage or performance area. The other options, such as "stage," "scenery," and "costume," do not fit the context of the sentence as well as "curtain" does.

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31. She doesn't like boats because she _____ sick.

Explanation

The correct answer is "gets" because it implies that she becomes sick when she is on boats.

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32. The sun _____ (shine) so hard as we got home.

Explanation

The correct answer is "was shining". This is because the sentence is in the past tense and is describing an action that was happening at a specific point in the past. The past continuous tense "was shining" is used to indicate an ongoing action in the past.

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33. What __________________________ when the telephone rang?

Explanation

The correct answer is "was she doing". This is because the question is asking about a past action that was happening at a specific moment in the past (when the telephone rang). The correct structure for this type of question is "was/were + subject + verb-ing". In this case, the subject is "she" and the verb is "doing", so the correct form is "was she doing".

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34. The painted backgrounds that show where the story takes place.

Explanation

Scenery refers to the painted backgrounds that depict the location or setting where the story takes place. It helps create a visual representation of the story's environment and provides context for the audience. Scenery is an essential element in stage productions as it helps set the mood and atmosphere, enhances the storytelling, and transports the audience into the world of the play.

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35. Correct or not? I'm playing basketball everyday. I love it.

Explanation

The given statement is "I'm playing basketball everyday. I love it." The answer is false because the statement implies that the person is playing basketball every day, but it does not necessarily mean that they love it. The statement only mentions their love for basketball, not their actual daily participation. Therefore, the answer is false as it cannot be determined whether they are actually playing basketball every day.

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36. What ________________ at six o'clock this morning?

Explanation

The correct answer is "were you doing." This is because the question is asking about an action that was happening at a specific time in the past, which requires the past continuous tense. "Were you doing" is the correct form of the past continuous tense to use in this context.

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37. Present simple or Past simple A: ........................ Ian ............................... (like)  painting? B: I don't think so.

Explanation

Habitual action

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38. I was talking with the students while Katie _______________ to the parents.

Explanation

The correct answer is "was talking" because it is the past continuous tense and indicates that the action of talking was ongoing at a specific point in the past. The sentence suggests that the speaker was engaged in a conversation with the students while Katie was engaged in a separate conversation with the parents.

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39. What kind of tv programms did you ______ to like as a child? 

Explanation

As a child, the correct phrase to use in this sentence is "used to." This phrase is used to talk about past habits or actions that were regular or repeated in the past but are no longer true in the present. In this context, it implies that the person had a preference for certain types of TV programs in their childhood, but their preferences may have changed as they grew older.

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40. If you don't pass the exam this time don't ___________. Try again!

Explanation

If you don't pass the exam this time, the suggested action is to "give up". This means that you should not give up or lose hope, but rather continue trying and attempt the exam again in the future.

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41. Chinese opera started ___ on the street.

Explanation

Chinese opera started out on the street. This means that the opera initially began or originated in the street.

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42. I ___________ really well with my work colleagues. We often meet up for drinks or a meal.

Explanation

The phrase "get on" means to have a good relationship or rapport with someone. In the given context, the person is saying that they have a good relationship with their work colleagues. They often meet up for drinks or a meal, indicating a positive and friendly connection with their colleagues.

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43. Amy ___ the wrong bus home.

Explanation

The word "caught" is the correct answer because it is the most appropriate verb to use in this context. When someone "catches" a bus, it means they successfully boarded the bus and are now traveling on it. In this sentence, it implies that Amy unintentionally boarded the wrong bus and is now on her way home on the incorrect bus. The other options (take, found, made) do not accurately convey the meaning of mistakenly boarding the wrong bus.

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44. Present simple or Past simple Where .......................... you .............................. (go) last weekend?

Explanation

"last weekend" = past time reference

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45. Mary's plans to travel to Europe ______ at the last minute

Explanation

The phrase "fell through" means that Mary's plans to travel to Europe did not happen or were cancelled unexpectedly. This phrase implies that there were unforeseen circumstances or obstacles that prevented her from going on the trip. It suggests that Mary's plans were unsuccessful or unsuccessful in the end.

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46. Please fill answer below_______

Explanation

not-available-via-ai

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47. Correct or not? A)  Do you go out tonight? B)  I'm not sure.

Explanation

The given answer is "False" because the response "I'm not sure" does not provide a clear indication of whether the person will go out tonight or not. It implies uncertainty rather than a definitive answer.

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48. What _______________________ for breakfast this morning?

Explanation

The correct answer is "did you have." This is the correct answer because it follows the correct question structure for past simple tense. The question is asking about the subject's breakfast this morning, which is a specific time in the past. Therefore, the auxiliary verb "did" is used to form the question and the main verb "have" is in its base form.

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49. The crow was screaming ______.

Explanation

The word "excitedly" is the correct answer because it is an adverb that describes how the crow was screaming. It indicates that the crow was screaming in an enthusiastic or eager manner. The other options, "suddenly," "impressive," and "excited," do not accurately describe the way the crow was screaming.

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50. She _________________ some fish and ______________ ill immediately.

Explanation

The correct answer is "ate - felt". This is because the verb "ate" indicates a completed action in the past, while the verb "felt" indicates a subsequent reaction or result.

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Present simple or Past simple...
Present simple or Past simple...
Present simple or Past simple...
Change the verb into their progressive form (-ing) Die =
This rises at the beginning of the performance and comes down at the...
I was reading a book while John ______ (watch) television
Yesterday I saw an old man. He ________ (walk) his dog.
Google is not the only _____ engine. There are many!!
Sam! Get your shoes ******* now.
The actors and actresses wear these. They are _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
She _______ (leave) the house when the telephone rang.
Alex ______ (drive) to work. It was raining heavily.
We didn't like the film at all. So we _____ (stand) up and...
I tried to call him but I couldn't get *******. I'll try...
Present simple or Past simple...
The ______ went wild when U2 appeared on stage!
Past progressive or Past simpleShe was so sad because her dog ______...
Do you want to go for a walk?
______________ when I saw Neil. I stopped and had a chat.
When I woke up this morning _________________
He is amazing! He sings really well that's why he is the _____...
Present simple or Past simple...
I got ******* the 6.15 to Liverpool Street instead of the...
What's the book you're reading _ _ _ _?
Present simple or Past simple...
Change the verb into their progressive form (-ing) Begin =
Frank ________ to travel a lot when he was younger. 
I ________________ shopping when I ______________ John.
He ____________________ away most of his money to charity.
The ______ rose and the show began.
She doesn't like boats because she _____ sick.
The sun _____ (shine) so hard as we got home.
What __________________________ when the telephone rang?
The painted backgrounds that show where the story takes place.
Correct or not? I'm playing basketball everyday. I love it.
What ________________ at six o'clock this morning?
Present simple or Past simple...
I was talking with the students while Katie _______________ to the...
What kind of tv programms did you ______ to like as a...
If you don't pass the exam this time don't ___________. Try...
Chinese opera started ___ on the street.
I ___________ really well with my work colleagues. We often meet up...
Amy ___ the wrong bus home.
Present simple or Past simple...
Mary's plans to travel to Europe ______ at the last minute
Please fill answer below_______
Correct or not?...
What _______________________ for breakfast this morning?
The crow was screaming ______.
She _________________ some fish and ______________ ill immediately.
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