Narrative Tenses Exercises PDFSet 2: Sequencing Events: Past Perfect in Narratives
20 questions·12 min·Answers included·Explanations included
Preview: Questions
Fill in the blank with the correct option.
1.When I arrived at the cinema, the film ___ already ___.
a) had / startedb) has / startedc) was / startingd) did / start
2.She was tired because she ___ all night.
a) workedb) had workedc) was workingd) has worked
3.By the time the ambulance arrived, the patient ___ consciousness.
a) lostb) was losingc) had lostd) has lost
4.After he ___ the letter, he felt much better.
a) readb) was readingc) has readd) had read
5.I ___ never ___ such a beautiful sunset before that day.
a) had / seenb) have / seenc) was / seeingd) did / see
... and 15 more questions in the PDF
Preview: Answers
1.had / started
2.had worked
3.had lost
4.had read
5.had / seen
... and 15 more answers in the PDF
Preview: Explanations
1."had / started"(a)
Past Perfect 'had started' shows the film began before the arrival (Past Simple).
2."had worked"(b)
Past Perfect explains the earlier action that caused the tiredness.
3."had lost"(c)
'By the time' + Past Simple requires Past Perfect for the earlier event.
4."had read"(d)
'After' + Past Perfect shows the reading happened first, then the feeling.
5."had / seen"(a)
Past Perfect with 'never...before' shows lack of prior experience up to that past moment.
... and 15 more explanations in the PDF
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