Tense Comparison Exercises PDFSet 6: Past Simple vs Past Perfect
20 questions·15 min·Answers included·Explanations included
Preview: Questions
Fill in the blank with the correct option.
1.When I arrived at the station, the train ___ already ___.
a) has / leftb) was / leavingc) had / leftd) did / leave
2.She ___ dinner before her husband came home.
a) had cookedb) was cookingc) cookedd) has cooked
3.After he ___ the email, he turned off the computer.
a) has sentb) sentc) had sentd) was sending
4.I ___ never ___ such a beautiful sunset before that day.
a) was / seeingb) had / seenc) have / seend) did / see
5.By the time we got to the cinema, the film ___.
a) had startedb) startedc) has startedd) was starting
... and 15 more questions in the PDF
Preview: Answers
1.had / left
2.had cooked
3.had sent
4.had / seen
5.had started
... and 15 more answers in the PDF
Preview: Explanations
1."had / left"(c)
The train left before I arrived. Past Perfect 'had left' shows the earlier action.
2."had cooked"(a)
The cooking was completed before the husband's arrival, so Past Perfect is used.
3."had sent"(c)
'After' + Past Perfect shows the first completed action before the second.
4."had / seen"(b)
Past Perfect is used for experiences before a specific past time.
5."had started"(a)
'By the time' + Past Perfect shows the action was completed before another past event.
... and 15 more explanations in the PDF
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