Simple Present, Present Continuous, Simple Past, Past Continuous, Present Perfect, Past Perfect, Simple Past versus Present Perfect (Test 1) by Fung Lan Yong

Simple Present, Present Continuous, Simple Past, Past Continuous, Present Perfect, Past Perfect, and Simple Past versus Present Perfect (Test 1)
by Fung Lan Yong, Honorary Advisor
IPB Pine Academy Sabah (July 12, 2014)

Section A: Simple Present Tense versus Present Continuous Tense

Part 1:

Fill in the blanks with the simple present tense or present continuous tense.

(0.5 mark x 15 = 7.5 marks)

 

Examples:

Present Continuous:   Look!  The newly married couple is leaving (leave) the house.

Simple Present:         Brian jogs (jog) for about an hour every day.

 

 

1. Samuel ___________  (concentrate) on her homework at the moment.

2. Her visiting parents __________  (shop) at the new mall right now.

3. My grammar lecturer usually _________  (wake) up before dawn to jog.

4. I ____________(not see) my English tutor every day but once a week.

5. My grandmother __________  (not nap) at the moment.

6. Helen ____________  (not read) an English storybook now.

7. The students __________ (not attend) Intensive English classes on Sundays.

8. My parents __________  (not watch) the television news regularly.

9. ___________  Diana _________  (go) on holiday by plane sometimes?

10.  ___________ Tim and Mary __________ (play) computer games every evening?

11.  ___________ you __________ (have) a snack at the moment?

12. What __________ the janitors (do) right now?

13. __________ Rebecca __________  (visit) her in-laws very often?

14. __________ the team __________ (practise) in the field now?

15. A group of Intensive English students ___________ (sit) a test at present.

 

Part 2:

Fill in the blanks with the simple present tense or present continuous tense.

The first one (0) is done for you.  (0.5 mark x 10 = 5 marks)

 

Look!  My grammar lecturer (0) rushing (rush) off to the university.  She often (0) carries out her duties in a prompt and confident manner.  On her shoulder, she (1)  _________ (carry) a brocade bag. The elegant bag (2) ________ (appear) to be very heavy. Usually she (3) _________ (slip) into a pair of black leather shoes, but today she (4) __________(wear) ankle boots.  She (5) _________ (usually put) on a dress suit, but today

she (6) __________  (wear) a red t-shirt with a black skirt.  She normally (7)  _________ (catch) a bus to campus but she (8) __________ (hop) into a taxi now.  And look, she (9) ________ (hold) a silvery umbrella because it (10) ___________(drizzle) and she definitely does not like getting drenched.

 

Source: 

Grammar in Context (2014) by Fung Lan Yong, IPB Pine Academy Sabah, www.pineacademysabah.edu.my

 

 

Part 3:

Use the following phrases to construct sentences in the simple present tense.

(1 mark x 5 = 5 marks)

Example:

Simple present:  Sheila often sings sentimental songs in her shows.

Sheila does not sing rock songs often.

 

(1) wipe the table

(2) not eat supper

(3) does his homework

(4) not study hard

(5) not consume any alcohol

Part 4: 

Use the following phrases to compose sentences in the present continuous tense. 

(1 mark x 5 = 5 marks)

 

Example:

Listen!  Sheila is singing a sentimental song now.

Or

Sheila is not singing a sentimental song now.

 

 

(1) shake the milk bottle

(2) not rehearse for the concert

(3) not memorise the speech

(4) text his friend

(5) summarise an article

Section B:  Simple Past Tense versus Past Continuous Tense

 

Part 1:

Fill in the blanks with the simple past tense or past continuous tense. 

(1 mark x 10 = 10 marks)

 

Example:

My grammar lecturer (0) dreamed in English when she was sleeping.

1. She __________ (listen) to the radio when the mail _________ (come).
2. They _________ (visit) Los Angeles when they _________ (travel) in the USA.

3. The cleaner ________ (drop) a mug while he _______ (wash) the dishes.

4. John and Jane ________ (cross) the street when they ________ (see) their friend Alex.

5. Tony _________(come) to see me while I _________ (complete) my chores.

4. The children __________ (draw) when their parents _________ (arrive) home.

5. When Helen _________ (drive), she _________ (notice) a deer in the middle of the road.

6. Annie _________ (text) when Kerry __________ (study).

7. While the movie _________ (play), some people ________ (eat) popcorn.

8. While I _________ (iron) a dress, the telephone ________ (ring).

9. I _________ (encounter) an old friend as I _________ (walk) down the street.

10. As she __________ (type) her paper, she _________ (hear) a strange noise.

 

 

 

Part 2:

Fill in the blanks with the simple past tense or past continuous tense. The first one (0) is done for you. (0.5 mark x 20 = 10 marks)

 

My reclusive neighbour (0) moved (move) into that apartment six years ago and he was  arguing (argue) with the landowner yesterday.  I only (1) ________  (find) out where he (2) _________ (come) from a few months ago. I (3) _______ (ask) the landowner about his background but she (4) _________  (not know) anything about him.  He had worked in a large company before he (5) ________ (come) to this town.  The company (6) ___________  (make) him redundant about six years ago.  I (7) ________ (run) into him downtown this morning but he (8) _________  (not notice) my presence at all.  Seemingly engrossed, he (9) _________  (walk) straight past me.  I (10) ________  (enter) the store when he (11) __________ (march) out.  He (12) _________  (walk) hurriedly and not looking where he (13) __________ (go).  He almost (14) _________ (step) on my foot!  He (15) __________ (talk) to someone on his smartphone and I assume that he (16) ___________ (have) a heated argument with the other person as he (17) __________ (sound) irritable and (18) __________ (appear) rather upset.  Like some people who tend to raise their voice over the phone, he (19) _________ (speak) rather loudly, so many passers-by could hear what he (20) ___________ (complain) about.

 

Source: 

Grammar in Context (2014) by Fung Lan Yong, IPB Pine Academy Sabah, www.pineacademysabah.edu.my

 

 

Part 3:

Use the following phrases to construct sentences in the simple past tense.

(1 mark x 5 = 5 marks)

 

Example:

The newly married actor left for his honeymoon yesterday.

Or

The newly married actor did not leave for his honeymoon yesterday.

 

(1) not feed the pet

(2) cut the grass

(3) not check the email

(4) attempt the questions

(5) rub the blackboard

Part 4:

Use the following phrases to construct sentences in the past continuous tense.

(1 mark x 5 = 5 marks)

 

Example: 

The students were writing an essay when the alarm started ringing.

Or

They were not writing an essay when the lecturer walked in.

 

(1) not word-process

(2) not wear

(3) go to the charity ball

(4) mop the counter top

(5) log in Facebook

 

 

 

Section C:  Present Perfect Tense versus Past Perfect Tense

Part 1:

Fill in the blanks with the present perfect tense or past perfect tense.

(0.5 mark x 15 = 7.5 marks)

 

Examples:

Present perfect:  Rebecca has written some letters.

Past Perfect:       Rebecca had written a letter before she arrived at Incheon International.

1. Rebecca _________  (compose) an email using her notebook.

2. The tourists were amazed because they __________ (never see) a zebra before.

3. The usher would not let him in because he _________ (forget) his membership card.
4. She stressed, “You can't enter because you _________ (forget) your membership card.”

5.  _________ you _________ (see) the new film by Steven Spielberg?

6. They ___________ (drink) a lot of champagne by the time the party ended.

7. He __________ (marry) a fashion designer two years before he moved to Los Angeles.
8. I ___________ (always want) to travel so I was delighted to go abroad with the team.
9. I ___________ (never stay) in Chicago before. How expensive the city is!
10. When I saw her, I realised that we _________ (already meet) somewhere before.
11. He __________ (buy) the house two months before his son's birth.
12. I wish I __________ (purchase) the property before.

13. The guard rejected his entry because he _________ (not bring) his access card.
14. She warned, “You can't enter because you _________ (not bring) your access card.”
15. _________ the personal assistant _________ (pay) for the refreshments yet?

 

Part 2:

Use the following phrases to construct sentences in the present perfect tense.

(1 mark x 5 = 5 marks)

 

Example:

Margaret has written several essays since she enrolled in the university

Or 

He has not written any essays since last month.

 

(1) dice some apples

(2) draw a portrait

(3) not vacuum the carpet

(4) fry the fish

(5) not do the grammar assignment

Part 3:

Use the following phrases to construct sentences in the past perfect tense.

(1 mark x 5 = 5 marks)

 

Example:

Rebecca had stirred the soup before she added the other ingredients.

Or

Rebecca had not stirred the soup before she added the other ingredients.

 

(1) not drive a car

(2) eat Malaysian food

(3) not sweep the patio

(4) set the dining table

(5) swim in the sea

 

Section D:  Simple Past Tense versus Present Perfect Tense

Part 1:

Fill in the blanks with the simple past tense or present perfect tense. 

The first one is done for you. (0.5 mark x 15 = 7.5 marks)

 

Example:

David won an academic writing award last year.

He has won an academic writing award.

 

1. Mary _________  (buy) a dress last week.

2. We _________  (already prepare) dessert by the time the guests arrived.

3. James ________  (find) the missing bracelet in the drain yesterday.

4. The manager _________  (just come) home.

5. My parents (buy) the car two years ago.

6. The interviewer __________  (not see) any applicants yet.

7. Phil __________ (not go) to the concert last night.

8. The international tourists _________ (not be) to the state museum so far.

9. The politicians __________ (not arrive) yet.

10. Ann __________(not pay) me a visit last week.

11. _________ the students  __________ (read) the article yet?

12. How many essays _________the Intensive English students ________ (write) so far?

13. When __________ the lecturer _________(tell) you that?

14. _________ you _________(sleep) at the chalet last night?

15. How often _________ you _________ (fly) overseas till now?

 

Part 2:

Fill in the blanks with the simple past tense or present perfect tense.  The first one is done for you. (0.5 mark x 15 = 7.5 marks)

 

At the beginning of the semester, the grammar lecturer (0) asked (ask) her local and international students whether they have tasted (taste) kimchi before.  She (1) ________ (state) that it is the most common dish in Korea.  She herself (2) _________  (eat) kimchi at least ten times so far.  Subsequently, one student (3) _________ (ask) her when she (4) _________ (partake) kimchi for the first time.  She (5) _________ (admit) that she __________  (have) kimchi for the first time on a Korean friend’s birthday.  He (6) _________  (invite) her to a Korean restaurant on that red-lettered day.  Another student politely inquired, (7)  “________ you _______ (like) it?”  

 

The grammar lecturer (8) _________ (reply) that she (9) _________ absolutely  __________ (relish) the dish. In fact, it (10) __________ (be) so delicious that she (11) ___________  (patronise) that particular restaurant several times already.  Additionally, she (12) __________ (also learn) how to make kimchi from her colleague.  On her birthday last October, she (13) _________ (decide) to purchase some fresh napa cabbage, red chilli paste and aromatic spices from a Korean store to create her own kimchi recipe at home.  She (14) __________ (conclude) that she (15)  __________ (also do) some research on kimchi, which seems to have several health benefits.

 

Source: 

Grammar in Context (2014) by Fung Lan Yong, IPB Pine Academy Sabah, www.pineacademysabah.edu.my

 

 

 

Part 3:

Fill in the blanks with the simple past tense or present perfect tense.

(0.5 mark x 25 = 12.5 marks)

 

The Intensive English students (1) __________  (not see) the grammar lecturer for several days, so one of them (2) _________ (enquire) where she (3) __________ (be).  

She (4) __________ (reveal) that she (5) __________  (just come) back from Sabah where she (6) __________ (present) at a conference last week.  I (7) _________ (ask) what she (8) _________  (do) in Sabah besides doing a presentation.  She (9) __________ (respond) that she (10) __________ (participate) in an eco-tour since Sabah is famous for its natural wonders.  When I (11) _________ (query) whether she (12) _________ (see) a lot of wildlife there, she (13) __________ (enthuse) that she (14) _________ (help) the wardens feed some apes, mousedeer and proboscis monkeys while visiting the animal sanctuary.   

 

Then she (15) _________ (ask) me if I (16) __________ (ever be) to Sabah and when I (17) __________ (travel) to the state.  I (18) _________  (respond) that I (19) __________ (be) to Sabah twice and the first time I (20) _________ (go) there was in 2012.  I (21) ___________ (go) there again in 2013 and I (22) __________ (really enjoy) both trips.  I (23) __________ (add) that I absolutely love the beautiful scenery, especially the exotic islands.  She (24) __________ (remark) that she (25) __________  (feel) the same way.

 

Source: 

Grammar in Context (2014) by Fung Lan Yong, IPB Pine Academy Sabah, www.pineacademysabah.edu.my

 

 

Section E:  Make Questions Based on a Short Passage

Read the passage and formulate six questions using the tenses in the following list.  Refer to the examples provided above. (1 mark x 6 = 6 marks)

 

Last night, while I was writing my essay, Sylvia called and said that she was utilising her new smartphone to contact me from the headquarters. I asked her if she was working overtime, but she admitted that the facilitator was at the front of the auditorium giving directions while she was chitchatting with me. I could hardly believe my ears that she was making a phone call during the seminar. I asked what was happening there.

She complained that the facilitator was so longwinded that some of the staff members were actually dozing off while others appeared rather bedazzled. Some of her colleagues were texting and the individual next to her was sketching a picture of the facilitator. When Sylvia indicated that she was not satisfied with the facilitator, I mentioned that my previous seminar was quite good and suggested that she muster all her patience to deal with it.

While we were still enjoying our time together, I suddenly heard her facilitator holler, "Sylvia, are you making a phone call while the seminar is still on?"  Then the line abruptly went dead. Shrugging, I hung up the phone and went to the study to get a reference book. As I was flipping the pages of a book, the phone rang once again. It was Sylvia, but this time she was not sitting in the auditorium.  She was taking a breather with another bored colleague right outside the restroom.

 

Source: 

Grammar in Context (2014) by Fung Lan Yong, IPB Pine Academy Sabah, www.pineacademysabah.edu.my

 

List of Tenses

(1) Simple present

(2) Simple past

(3) Present continuous

(4) Past continuous

(5) Present perfect

(6) Past perfect

 

Section F:  Editing a Short Passage

The following passage contains 14 grammatical errors in italics.  Write down the correct word in the lines provided. Number your answers.  (0.5 mark x 14 = 7 marks)

 

Last week my grammar lecturer (1) is very busy and she (2) does not have the time to do a lot in the apartment.  On Monday she (3) work several hours overtime and (4) coming home in the wee hours of the morning. From Tuesday to Thursday she (5) prepare for her upcoming conference presentation. On Friday she (6) attend a colleague's farewell party and at the weekend she (7) go to the supermarket to (7) bought some fruits and vegetables.  She (8) do not exercise for the entire week, so she (9) was following a strict diet now.  She (10) have the undesirable habit of working hard without doing any exercise.

Tomorrow some of her friends (11) come over. She has not (12) meet them for quite some time and they have never (13) being at her apartment before.  She has just (14) mop the kitchen floor and vacuumed the carpet so she can show them around.  “Now everything is perfect,” she heaved a sigh of relief.

 

Source: 

Grammar in Context (2014) by Fung Lan Yong, IPB Pine Academy Sabah, www.pineacademysabah.edu.my

G:  Writing an Essay

Write an essay detailing your family background, educational background and memorable experiences since joining Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak (150-200 words).

Include a title, thesis statement and at least three topic sentences.  (30 marks)