Tenses Quiz: Past, Present, And Future Tense!

Reviewed by Juliette Firla
Juliette Firla, MA (Teaching Writing) |
English Teacher
Review Board Member
Juliette is a middle school English teacher at Sacred Heart of Greenwich, Connecticut. Juliette earned a BA in English/Language Arts Teacher Education from Elon University and an MA in Teaching Writing from Johns Hopkins University. She holds a Classroom Teacher license from the Connecticut State Department of Education. Juliette possesses strong skills in English language arts, writing, editing, and literature study. She has a deep passion for working with young people and contributing to the education of America's youth in the classroom.
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  • 1/20 Questions

    What would the correct word be: "One day last year John ___________ (wait) for his mom at the front door."?

    • Will wait
    • Wait
    • Waited
    • Did wait
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About This Quiz


Are you confident in your understanding of tenses? Test your knowledge with this comprehensive Tenses Quiz designed to assess your grasp of English verb tenses. This quiz covers a wide range of tenses, from simple present to past perfect, and everything in between. If you are a student looking to strengthen your grammar skills or someone wanting to refresh their knowledge, this quiz has fun questions that challenge your understanding of when and how to use different tenses accurately.

With multiple-choice questions, each question will test your ability to identify the correct tense for a given sentence. It is a great opportunity to evaluate and improve your understanding of one of the most essential components of English grammar. Remember, this tenses quiz with answers is purely educational, and while it can be a fun challenge, mastering tenses requires consistent practice and learning.

Tenses Quiz: Past, Present, And Future Tense! - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    What would the correct word be: "Just before he got there, a tree branch ________ (crash) into the car’s windshield."?

    • Will crash

    • Crash

    • Crashed

    • Crashing

    Correct Answer
    A. Crashed
    Explanation
     The sentence refers to an event that has already happened in the past, indicated by "Just before he got there." The correct past tense form of the verb "crash" is "crashed," which accurately describes the tree branch falling onto the car’s windshield in the past. Other options, like "crash" (present tense) and "will crash" (future tense), do not fit the context of a past action. "Crashed" correctly reflects the sudden, completed event of the branch hitting the windshield.

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  • 3. 

    What would the correct word be: "During the last Ice Age, glaciers ____________ (cover) Canada."?

    • Will cover

    • Covering

    • Cover

    • Covered

    Correct Answer
    A. Covered
    Explanation
    The sentence refers to a historical event, specifically during the Ice Age. The correct form is "covered," which is the past tense of the verb "cover" and reflects the action that happened long ago. The sentence describes how glaciers covered Canada in the past, so other options like "cover" (present tense) and "will cover" (future tense) are inappropriate for this context. "Covered" effectively conveys the idea of a completed action from a distant period in history.

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  • 4. 

    What would the correct word be: "The branch __________ (trap) John's mom inside the car."?

    • Trap

    • Trapped

    • Will trap

    • Shall trap

    Correct Answer
    A. Trapped
    Explanation
    The sentence describes a past event, so the verb needs to be in the past tense. "Trapped" is the past tense of "trap," indicating that the branch has already trapped John's mom. The other options are incorrect because they do not accurately reflect the tense of the sentence. "Trap" is present tense, "will trap" is future tense, and "shall trap" is also future tense but with a slightly different meaning.

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  • 5. 

    Ocean levels ______________ tomorrow.

    • Rose

    • Will rise

    • Rising

    • Risen

    Correct Answer
    A. Will rise
    Explanation
    The phrase "tomorrow" indicates that the action will take place in the future. "Will rise" is the correct future tense form, using the auxiliary verb "will" to show that the ocean levels are expected to increase. Other options, like "rose" (past tense) and "rising" (present participle), do not properly indicate a future action. "Will rise" effectively expresses the anticipated rise in ocean levels that will occur in the future.

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  • 6. 

    What would the correct word be: "The firefighters _____________ (rescue) her."?

    • Rescued

    • Will rescued

    • Rescue

    • Rescuing

    Correct Answer
    A. Rescued
    Explanation
    The sentence refers to an action that has already been completed, implying that the firefighters have already rescued John's mom. "Rescued" is the past tense form of the verb "rescue" and fits the context of a completed action in the past. The other options, like "rescue" (present tense) or "will rescued" (incorrect combination of auxiliary and past tense), do not correctly convey the past action of the firefighters saving her. "Rescued" appropriately captures the past event.

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  • 7. 

    What would the correct word be: "He ___________ (run) five miles every morning before breakfast."?

    • Runs

    • Ran

    • Running

    • Will run

    Correct Answer
    A. Runs
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "runs" because the sentence refers to a habitual action performed by "he" (third-person singular subject). In the present tense, the verb takes an "-s" ending to agree with the subject. The sentence describes a routine activity that happens regularly (every morning), so the simple present tense "runs" is appropriate. Other options like "ran" (past tense) or "will run" (future tense) do not fit this context. "Running" (present participle) also doesn't work as it's not structured to describe this habitual action.

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  • 8. 

    What would the correct word be: "John's mom ________ (drive) him home from school most days."?

    • Drived

    • Driving

    • Drive

    • Drives

    Correct Answer
    A. Drives
    Explanation
    The sentence requires the simple present tense to indicate a habitual action that happens regularly. The simple present tense is often used for actions that are repeated or usual. The simple present tense form of "drive" for a singular subject (John's mom) is "drives."

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  • 9. 

    What would the correct word be: "By the time we arrived, they __________ (leave) the meeting."?

    • Leave

    • Leaving

    • Had left

    • Will leave

    Correct Answer
    A. Had left
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "had left" because the sentence refers to an action completed before another action in the past. The past perfect tense "had left" is used to indicate that the departure occurred prior to the event of "we arrived." Other options, like "leave" (present tense), "leaving" (present participle), and "will leave" (future tense), do not properly reflect the sequential order of past actions. The past perfect tense is essential here to clarify that the leaving occurred first.

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  • 10. 

    Yesterday, Sarah __________ (eat) a delicious meal at her favorite restaurant.  

    • Eat

    • Eats

    • Eating

    • Ate

    Correct Answer
    A. Ate
    Explanation
    The sentence refers to an action that took place "yesterday," indicating that it is in the past. The correct past tense form of "eat" is "ate," which fits the context of the sentence. "Ate" describes the completed action of Sarah enjoying a meal at her favorite restaurant. Other options, such as "eat" (present tense) and "eating" (present participle), do not properly convey the past nature of the event. "Ate" accurately reflects the past action of eating.

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  • 11. 

    What would the correct word be: "John's mom ___________ (collect) the insurance money for the car next month."?

    • Collection

    • Will collect

    • Collect

    • Collecting

    Correct Answer
    A. Will collect
    Explanation
    The sentence describes a future event, and the verb should be in the future tense to maintain proper tense. "Will collect" is the future tense of "collect". The other options are incorrect because they do not accurately reflect the tense of the sentence. "Collection" is a noun, "collect" is present tense, and "collecting" is present participle.

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  • 12. 

    What would the correct word be: "Many animals will _______(die) in the cold."?

    • Dead

    • Died

    • Dying

    • Die

    Correct Answer
    A. Die
    Explanation
    The sentence refers to an action that is expected to happen in the future, as indicated by "will." The base form of the verb "die" is needed to properly form the future tense. "Dead" is an adjective, "died" is past tense, and "dying" is the present participle, none of which are appropriate for expressing a future action. "Die" is the correct choice, fitting with the auxiliary verb "will" to convey a future event where animals perish due to the cold.

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  • 13. 

    What would the correct word be: "The sun __________ (shine) brightly today."?

    • Shines

    • Shined

    • Shining

    • Shine

    Correct Answer
    A. Shines
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "shines" because the sentence refers to a present, ongoing action. In the present tense, verbs for third-person singular subjects (such as "the sun") take an "-s" at the end. The sentence talks about an action happening right now (today), so the present tense form "shines" fits perfectly. Other options, such as "shine" (base form), "shined" (past tense), and "shining" (present participle), do not match the context of the ongoing, habitual action of the sun shining.

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  • 14. 

    No one _______ the future for sure, of course.

    • Knew

    • Will know

    • Shall know

    • Knows

    Correct Answer
    A. Knows
    Explanation
    The sentence refers to a general truth or present fact about the uncertainty of the future. "Knows" is the present tense form of the verb "know" and fits the context, as it indicates that no one currently possesses knowledge about the future. Other options like "knew" (past tense) and "will know" (future tense) do not align with the immediate nature of the statement. "Knows" accurately conveys the idea that, at present, no one can know the future.

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  • 15. 

    Millions of people had ___________________ their homes.

    • Lose

    • Losing

    • Lost

    • Loses

    Correct Answer
    A. Lost
    Explanation
    The sentence requires the past participle of the verb "lose" to complete the past perfect tense. The past perfect tense is used to describe an action that was completed before another action in the past. In this case, the action of losing their homes occurred before the situation being described in the sentence. The past participle of "lose" is "lost." 

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  • 16. 

    What would the correct word be: "She __________ (study) all night before the big exam."?

    • Study

    • Studies

    • Studied

    • Studying

    Correct Answer
    A. Studied
    Explanation
    The sentence describes a single, completed action in the past. The simple past tense ("studied") is used for actions that happened at a specific time in the past and are now finished. It clearly conveys that she dedicated the entire night before the exam to studying, emphasizing the effort she put in for the upcoming test.

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  • 17. 

    What would the correct word be: "Today many scientists _________ (predict) another change."?

    • Predict

    • Predicted

    • Will predict

    • Shall predict

    Correct Answer
    A. Predict
    Explanation
    In this sentence, "predict" is in the simple present tense, which is used to state facts or general truths. The sentence refers to the present time, indicated by "Today," and describes an action that scientists habitually or generally perform. The correct form is "predict," as it conveys that scientists are currently making predictions. Other options like "predicted" (past tense) or "will predict" (future tense) do not match the ongoing or general nature of the action.

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  • 18. 

     The ice caps _____________ over the next fifty years. 

    • Melted

    • Melting

    • Will melt

    • Have melt

    Correct Answer
    A. Will melt
    Explanation
     The sentence refers to a future event that is expected to happen "over the next fifty years." The correct form is "will melt," which uses the future auxiliary "will" along with the base form of the verb "melt." This construction indicates an action expected to occur in the future. Other options, like "melted" (past tense) or "melting" (present participle), do not fit the future context. "Will melt" properly expresses the idea that the ice caps are projected to melt in the coming years.

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  • 19. 

    What would the correct word be: "Our climate ________________ (become) much warmer."?

    • Is became

    • Will become

    • Was became 

    • Becoming 

    Correct Answer
    A. Will become
    Explanation
     The sentence refers to a future change in the climate, and "will become" is the correct form to express a future action. "Will" is used with the base verb "become" to indicate that this warming of the climate is expected to occur in the future. Other options like "is became" or "was became" are grammatically incorrect, and "becoming" (present participle) doesn't fit the future context. "Will become" correctly expresses the anticipated future development of the climate.

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  • 20. 

    What would the correct word be: "The company __________ (plan) to launch a new product next month."?

    • Planned

    • Plans

    • Planning

    • Will planned

    Correct Answer
    A. Plans
    Explanation
    The sentence requires the simple present tense to indicate a scheduled action in the future. The simple present tense is often used for events that are planned or expected to happen. The simple present tense form of "plan" for a singular subject (the company) is "plans."

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Juliette Firla |MA (Teaching Writing) |
English Teacher
Juliette is a middle school English teacher at Sacred Heart of Greenwich, Connecticut. Juliette earned a BA in English/Language Arts Teacher Education from Elon University and an MA in Teaching Writing from Johns Hopkins University. She holds a Classroom Teacher license from the Connecticut State Department of Education. Juliette possesses strong skills in English language arts, writing, editing, and literature study. She has a deep passion for working with young people and contributing to the education of America's youth in the classroom.

Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Jan 23, 2025 +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Jan 23, 2025
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team

    Expert Reviewed by
    Juliette Firla
  • Jan 13, 2009
    Quiz Created by
    Jmousel
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