UsingEnglish.com

Past Simple, Progressive Perfect ESL Worksheet

ESL Worksheet

Download the worksheet
To access this worksheet as an online activity, view our 'Past Simple, Progressive Perfect' exercise.

ESL Worksheet: Past Simple, Progressive Perfect

Instructions: Choose the correct answer.

Q1 - He bought the car after he'd got his new job
 
These actions happened at the same time
 
He got the job first
Q2 - He was going to bring the film in this afternoon, but forgot it in the end
 
He didn't bring the film even though he had planned to
 
He didn't bring the film because he had no plan to
Q3 - It was the first time she had tried a virtual reality game
 
The past perfect is used because it is the first of two past actions
 
The past perfect is used because 'it was the first time' takes the past perfect
Q4 - While I was coming to work this morning the shops weren't open
 
These two verbs describe a simultaneous event and state
 
The first verb describes a long action and the second a short one
Q5 - The bus drivers had been on strike for two weeks before they managed to reach an agreement with the management
 
The past perfect is stresses the length of the strike
 
The past perfect shows that the problems were easily resolved
Q6 - While you were studying at university, I was doing a proper job
 
These two actions were at the same time
 
The studying was interrupted by doing the proper job
Q7 - Had you ever worked so hard before you joined the bank?
 
The past perfect is used to show that the person is still working hard
 
The past perfect is used to emphasise the difference between the bank and work before joining it
Q8 - I was having a bath when the dog and cat started fighting
 
The speaker was out of the bath when the fight happened
 
The speaker was still in the bath when the fight happened
Q9 - I'd been waiting for half an hour before the train finally arrived
 
The speaker was still waiting when the train arrived
 
The speaker had given up waiting before the train arrived
Q10 - He got up and went to the shops
 
The two actions happened simultaneously
 
They happened in sequence
Q11 - I'd read it long before it became successful
 
The speaker hadn't finished reading it when it became successful
 
The speaker had finished reading it when it became successful
Q12 - Someone had already finished their work before I arrived
 
The past perfect is used to give show the difference in time between the two actions
 
The past perfect is used to show that the speaker is negative about the person
Q13 - I was going to go to the party
 
The speaker went to the party
 
The speaker didn't go to the party

Copyright © 2002 - 2024 UsingEnglish.com Ltd.- All rights reserved
This printable handout can be used by teachers without any fee in the classroom; however, you must keep all copyright information and references to UsingEnglish.com in place.
View this handout online at:https://www.usingenglish.com/handouts/153.html


Trustpilot