Choose the most suitable answer

Exercise 15: TENSES
Choose the most suitable answer to fill in the blank. Write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4)
in the brackets.
1

What would you do if you were _ _ _ _ _ _ in the crowd?
(3) lost
(1) lose
(4) losing
(2) loss

2

How old were you when you _ _ _ _ _ _ to Australia?
(1) migrate
(3) migra.!ftd_
(2) migrates
(4r nas migrated

3

Joan and I _ _ _ __
(1) knows
(2) knew

4

We will leave as soon as the driver _ _ _ _ __
(3) arrived
(1) arrives
(4) had arrived
(2) arrive

. (

each other since we were si x years old .
(3) has known
(4) have known

)

5

Mr Tan , together with several pupils, _ _ _ _ _ _ in the class at that moment.
(3) were
(1) is
(4) are
)
(2) was

6

Each pup il _ _ _ _ _ _ his report card from the teacher next week .
(1) receive
(3) are receiving
(2) have received
(4) will receive

)

7

That spoilt girl always _ _ _ _ _ _ whatever she _ _ _ _ _ _ because
her parents give in to her demands.
(1) will get .. . wants
(3) would gBt ... wants
(4) would get ... waj l t ------ - - - -(
)
(2) gets ... wants

8

The choir _ _ _ _ _ _ up a programme at the end of the term last year.
(1) are putting
(3) put
(2) shall put
(4) has put

9

All of us _ _ _ _ _ _ turns to clean the house while our mother was in Penan

(1) took
(3) takes
(2) take
(4) taken

10 He told me that she _ _ _ _ _ _ to cook when the doorbell rang .
(1) prepared
(3) was preparing
(2) is preparing
(4) has prepared

(

xercise 16: TENSES
oose the most suitable answer to fill in the blank. Write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4)
the brackets.

I heard the man _ _ _ _ _ _ on the door furiously.
(1) knock
(3) knocked

(2) knocks
(4) to knock
My father _ _ _ _ _ _ us to New Zealand for a short holiday next month.
(1) take
(3) has taken
-~_
(4) is taking
(
)
(2 tOOR She saw the boy
-- the classroom without the teacher's permission.
·
(3) leaves
(1) left
(2) leave
(4) to leave
The old woman got up slowly and _ _ _ _ _ _ to the bus stop .
(1) walk
(3) walked
(2) walks ·

(4) walking
We did not return home after the party because we _ _ _ _ _ _ the night at
our aunt's house.
(1) spend
(3) spending
(2) spent
(4) have -spent
The baby is eighteen months old now and _ _ _ _ _ _ about everywhere.
(1) toddle
(3) toddles
(
(2) toddled
(4) toddling
The terrapin always _ _ _ _ _ _ at the bottom of the tank.
(1) remain
(3) remaining
(2) remains
(4) to remain
The audience enjoyed themselves because the dancers _ _ _ _ _ _ a
fantastic performance.

(1) give
(3) gave
(4) was giving
(2) gives
-

Amy _ _ _ _ _ _ my book last week but she will only _______ it by
the end of this week.
(1) borrowed ... return
(3) borrowed ... returns
(
(2) borrowed ... returning
(4) borrowed .. . returned
My family usually
to church on Sundays but today we
_ _ _ _ _ _ not go because I had a fever.
(1) goes ... do
(3) goes ... did
(2) go ... do
(4) go ... did

Exercise 17: TENSES
Choose the most suitable answer to fill in the blank. Write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4)
in the brackets.
1

Neither John nor I _ _ _ _ _ _ willing to throwaway our collection of stamps
at this point in time .
(1) was
(3) is
(2) were
(4) am

2

-- ~Ravi has to go home early because he
evening .
(3) is visiting
(1) visits
(4) . visited

(2) has visited

3

Last night, neither of the girls
(1) attend
(2) attended

'FilS-grandparents this

the film preview.
(3) attends
(4) attending

)

4

The preparations for the party _ _ _ _ _ _ completed by six o'clock tonight.
(1) were

(3) is
(2) are
(4) will be
)

5

It _ ____ _ _ dark when we made our way home from the ·village .
(1) is getting
(3)· were getting
(2) was getting
(4) getting

)

6

My parents _ _ __ _ _ to Europe before they ._ __ _ _ _ to Singapore
yesterday.
(1) went .. . returned

(3) go ... returned
(2) went ... return
(4) go ... return
)

7

Mr Lim _ _ _ __ _ taichi every morning .
(1) practise
(3) _is practising
(2) practises
(4) will be Qractising

8

Mr and Mrs Chan _ _ _ _ _ _ living in Toronto since19
there .
(1) are
(3) have been
(2) had been '
(4). were

9

Jasmine , like her sister, _ _ _ _ _ _ travelling .
(1) enjoy
(3) enjoying
(2) enjoys
(4) is enjoying

10 Steven _ _ _ _ _ _ to be a lawyer when he grows up.
(1) wanted
(3) wanting
(2) want
(4) wants

~They

enjoy the H

Exercise 18: TENSES
Choose the most suitable answer to fill in the blank. Write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4)
in the brackets.

1

2

We _ _ _ _ _ _ for the examination in two months' time.
(1) are sitting
(3) have been sitting
(2) have sat
(4) had sat

(

)

My alarm clock _ _ _ _ _ _ at six o'clock every morning and I jump out of
bed to get ready for school.
(3) ringing
(1) rings
(4) rung
(2) rang

3 The test _ _ _ _ _ _ in five minutes' time. We must hurry.
-- t it -began (3) begin
(2) begun
(4) begins

4

_ _ _ _ _ _ late tonight because I _ _ _ _ _ _ to hand in a report
tomorrow.
(3) shall work ... have
( 1) worked ... has
(4) am working ... had
(2) was working ... having

5

The boys
football in the field every evening, but yesterday they
_ _ _ _ _ _ basketball instead.
(1) played .. . played
(3) played ... play
(2) play ... play
(4) play ... played.

6

They quickly
out their books and ~ _ _ _ _ _ to study
whenever the principal walks past the classroom.
(1) take ... pretend
(3) took ... pretend
(2) take ... pretended
(4) took ... pretended
My father _ _ _ _ _ _ in Vietnam and he _ _ _ _ _ _ home once a
year.
. (3, work ... return
(1) work ... returns
(2) works ... returCl___
(4) works ... returns
The hen has not _ _ _ _ _ _ any eggs since last week,
(1) laid
(3) lain
(2) lay
(4) laying

(

They ran to the canteen when the be" _ _ _ _ __
(1) ring
(3) rang
(2) rung
(4) was ringing
There _ _ _ _ _ _ no information given about these foreigners till today.
(1) is
(3) are
(2) ~ was
(4) were
(
119

Exercise 19: TENSES
Choose the most suitable answer to fill in the blank. Write its number (1,2, 3 or 4)
in the brackets.
1

He will finish all the work when he _ _ _ _ __
(1) returns
(3) will return
(2) returned
(4) was returning

2

My dog, Bobby, _ _ _ _ _ _ so loudly last night that I could not sleep .
(1) barks
(3) would bark
(2) barked
(4) barking

3

If you had the keys, you _ _ _ _ __ enter the house .
(3) can
(1) could
(2) will
(4) should

-(---

4

When they visited me yesterday, I _ _ _ _ __ the car.
(3) am washing
(1) washes
(2) wash
(4) was wash ing

5

When the time-keeper gave the signal , the game _ _ _ _ __
(1) begins
(3) begun
(4) will beg in
(2) began

)

Look! One of the baby elephants _ _ _ _ _ _ doing a handstand .
.( 1) is
(3) was
(2) are
(4) were

)

6

7

My skin always _ _ _ _ _ _ when I have been in the sun .
(1) peel
(3) peeled
(2) peels
(4) peeling

8

Three of my friends _ _ _ _ _ _ going on a trip together at the end of the
year.
(1) is
- ~
(3) was
(2) are
(4) were

9

The food in the microwave oven _ _ _ _ _ _ ready to be served-now. ~
(1) is
(3) was
(2) are
(4) were

10 Several students _ _ _ _ _ _ by the principal for questioning after school.
(1) was detained
(3) have been detained
(2) is detained
(4) is being detained

-

---:-------

ercise 20: TENSES

,,)Se the most suitable answer to fill in the blank. Write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4)
brackets.

Mr Pillay _ _ _ _ _ _ very hard when he first came to Singapore.
(1) work
(3) worked
(4) working
(2) works

(

John, as well as his wife, _ _ _ _ _ _ parties very much . They go to parties
freq uently_______
. (3) enjoying
( 1) enjoy
(2) enjoys
(4) enjoyed
Mr and Mrs Tan _ _ _ _ _ _ to Japan to visit their daughter next month .
(1) go
(3) will go
(2) went
(4) goes
The team _ _ _ _ _ _ the medal on account of the hard work put in by all the
members.
(1) wins
(3) has won
(4) winning
(2) win
I heard the boy _ _ _ _ _ _ when I walked past the room .
(1) cries
(3) cry .
(2) cried
(4) had cried
We saw Tom ._ _ _ _ _ _ the building with a large su itcase .
(1) enter
. (3) entered
(2) enters
(4) had entered

(

All my friends except Timothy _ _ _ _ _ _ coming to the barbecue tonight.
(1) 'is
(3) was
are
(4) will
(
Some of the students _ _ _ _ _ _ a stomachache after eating the noodles
yesterday.
(1) has
(3) had
(4) having
(
(2) have
His flight _ _ _ _ _ _ due to some technical faults. He has to change his
plans.
(3) had been delayed
(J..L was delayin g
(2) would be delayed
(
(4) has been delayed
Either John or the other boy _ _ _ _ _ _ scored the winning goal for the match.
(1) has
(3) having
(2) have
(4) has had

Exercise 21: TENSES
Choose the most suitable answer to fill in the blank. Write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4)
in the brackets.
1

Donot _ _ _ _ __
(1) patron ises
(2) patronise

2

He has to _ _ _ __
(1) show
(2) showed

that stall as the food sold there is very oily.
(3) patronising
(4) patronised
her how to get to the tutor's house.
(3) shows
- - ~
(4) snown

-----

3

_ _ to take up swimming.
Janet told Mrs Tan that she did not _ __
(1) wants
(3) wanted
(2) want
(4) wanting

4

Don't _ _ _ _ _ _ all the time . People will not be fooled by you twice.
(1) lie
(3) lied
(2) lies
(4) lying

5

6

7

)

Sam _ __ _ _ _ _ his father that he was not corning home for dinner tha
evening.
(1) inform
(3) informing
(2) informs
(4) informed
)
Peter _ _-.,
. (1) shout
(2) shouts

~

-

but his sister continued to ignore him .
(3) was shouting
(4) would be shouting

Mr Ali, a taxi driver, _ _ _ _ _ _ the Ang Mo Kio area daily.
(1) ply
(3) plying
(2) plies
(4) will be plyin-iJ-- _ _ _ _

)

---

8

When he saw the snake, he __________ and fainted on the spot.
(1) panic
(3) pani.cs
(2) panicked
(4) panicking

9

My parents ___________ to tour Europe for the whole of this month. They leavE
for London tomorrow.
(1) decide
(3) decided
(2) decides
(4) have decided

10 Do not leave the lights on unnecessarily. The electricity bill _________
(1) IS Increasing
(3) would increase
(
(2) was increasing
(4) increases

-

ercise 22: TENSES
se the most suitable answer to fill in the blank. Write its number (1,2,3 or 4)
e brackets.
My mother _ _ _ _ dinner this evening but tomorrow she _ _ _ lunch only.
(1) cooks .. . cooks
(3) cooked ... cooked
(2) has cooked '" will cook
(4) is cooking ... cook
(
The injured man has _ _ _ _ _ _ on the bed for a week .
(1) lay
(3) lain
~ 2 ~ - lie
-----(4)' laid

(

John
early every day, but last night he _ _ _ _ _ to bed very late.
(3) slept ... went
(1) sleep ... goes
(4) sleeping ... goes
(2) sleeps ... went
(
Lily and Linda _ _ _ _ _ _ basketball since primary school. They're very good
at it.
(3) played
(1) are playing
(4) play
(2) have been playing
Mrs Tan
to the doctor once a year for her medical checkup but this year
she
her appointment.
(3) go .. . misses
(1) going .. . missed
(4) goes ... has missed
(2) has gone ... misses
They
their grandmother every Sunday. This week they _ _ _ _ to
go to the zoo instead.
-(3) visited .. : decided
(1) visits ... decides
(4) visit; .. have decided
(2) are visiting ... are deciding
The play put upby our classmates ___ excellent. The audience was impressed .
(1) is
(3) was
(2) are
(4) wers__ -Kerry
a cOJTlP
w ti ~
(1) practises
(2) practised

~the

violin last week because she was taking part in

(3) has practised
(4) is practising

Neither Jenny nor the twins _ _ _ _ _ _ going for the weekly ballet lessons.
(1) enjoys
(3) enjoyed
(2) enjoy
(4) will enjoy
One of the students _ _ _ _ _ _ scolded by the teacher yesterday for littering
the school field.
(1) was
(3) is
(4) are
(2) were
)

Exercise 23: TENSES
Choose the most suitable answer to fill in the blank. Write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4)
in the brackets.
1

He came up behind me and _ _ _ _ _ _ me.
(1) frightens
(3) will frighten
(2) frightened
(4) has frightened

2

My pet, Timmy, _ _ _ _ _ _ to eat durians.
(1) likes
(3) liking
(2) has liked
(4) . was liked

3

If you were more hardworking, you _ _ _ _ _ _ better grades.
(3) will get
(1) have got
(4) would get
(2) had got

4

Jialin will inform us about the news when she _ _ _ _ __
(1) returns
(3) will return
(2) returned
(4) was returning

5

Juliet will not buy any new dresses because she _ _ _ _ _ _ to go to America:
(1) will save
(3) is saving
)
(2) has saved
(4) was saving

6

When I visited him last night, he _ _ _ _ _ _ television.
(1) watches
(3) is watching
(2) watched
(4) was watching

)

7

You cannot expect him to arrive in time for the meeting as his train _ _ _ __
(1) was delaying
(3) had been delayed
)
(2) would be delayed
(4) has been delayed

8

"My team _ _ _ _,the coach .
(1) win
(2) wins

9

_

-

flan.y

_ Q1~tches

since the beginning of the year," said
~
(3) have
(4) haswon

~._

We _ _ _ _ _ _ her birthday at an Indonesian restaurant this year.
(3) had celebrated
(1) celebrates
(2) is celebrated
(4) . will celebrate

10 Neither my father nor my sisters _ _ _ _ _ _ going to the party this evenin
(1) is
(2) are

(3) was
(4) were

ercise 24: TENSES
se the most suitable answer to fill in the blank. Write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4)
e bl:'ackets.

More than one thousand pairs of shoes _ _ _ _ _ _ Iast month.
(1) has been sold
(3) were sold
(2) being sold
(4) will be sold
We could see that he _ _ _ _ _ _ a lie just now.
(1) were telling
(3) is telling
~as-teUing
_
(4) are telling
the school in the elocution contest
One of the girls _ _ _ _ _ _ to reps~nt
next week.
(1) shall be chosen
(3) will be chosen
(2) are being chosen
(4) shall choose
In my hurry to leave for the meeting, I
and keys.
(1) forget
(3) am forgetting
(2) have forgotten
(4) will forget

to bring along my money

(

The class _ _ _ _ _ _. a biscuit factory at the end of the r:nonth.
(1) is visiting
(3) was visiting
(2) shall visit
(4) has visited
We have never seen her _ _ _ _ _ _ before. She must be very upset about
the matter.
(3) cry
(1) cried
(
(4) to cry
(2) cries
Ali's sister
from that ladder a few days ago and she
_ _ _ _ _ _ at the hospital now.
(1) fell ... is recovering
(3) falls ... is recovering
(-2}-fe1l ... was-recoverifig
(4) falls ... was recovering
.Neither Mariam nor her brothers _ _ _ _ _ _ eager to visit their relatives in
Malaysia. They went to Bangkok instead.
(1) are
(3) were
(4) was
(2) is
The food _ _-,--_ _
(1) taste
(2) tasted

o

so good that they finished it up very quickly.
(3) tastes
(4) tasting

He _ _ _ _ _ _ up the letter after reading it.
(1) tear
(3) tearing
(2) torn
(4) tore

(

Exercise 25: TENSES
Choose the most suitable answer to fill in the blank. Write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4)
in the brackets.

1

My neighbour screams whenever she _ _ _ _ _ _ a lizard.
(1) sees
(3) was seeing
(2) saw
(4) has seen

2

My mother usually _ _ _ _ _ _ to the market before sh'e visits grandmother.
(1) goes
(3) gone
(2) go
(4) went

3

She _ _ _ _ _ _ out on an errand since this afternoon.
(1) goes
(3) went
(2) has gone
(4) going

4

Jane _ _ _ _ _ _ with her in-laws after her wedding next month.
(3) will be living
(1) is living
(2) was living
(4) has been living

5

Natalie ._ _ _ _ _ _ in the library since eight o'clock this morning.
(3) will be studying
(1) is studying
(2) was studying
(4) has been studying

)

6

She _ _ _ _ _ _ for Japan while I stayed in New York to complete my course.
(1) left
(3) has left
(2) had left
(4) wilileave
)

7

him last week.
Mr Tan _ _ _ _ _ _ golf when I
(1) was playing .. . meet
(3) played .. . meeting
(2) was playing ... met
(4) played ... was meeting

)

8

Jacintha _ _ _ _ _ _ with the Television Corporation of Singapore since 1980.
(1) acted
(3) had bei
r aet
~
______
(2) acts
(4) has been acting

9

The sitcom 'Under One: Roof' _ _ _ _ _ _ the hearts of many Singaporea
television viewers .
(1) captures
(3) has captured
(2) capture
(4) have captured

10 She happened to be in town when the accident _ _ _ _ _ _ place.
(1) takes
(3) will taken
(2) took
(4) will take

Exercise 26: TENSES
Choose the most suitable answer to fill in the blank. Write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4)
in the brackets.

1

Both his children _ _ _ every word he s.ays. They have been disciplined well.
(1) obeyed
(3) obey
(2) were obeying
(4) have obeyed

2

Mr Ang _ _ _ _ _ to Japan for training and will be there for about a month.
(1) goes
(3) has gone
(2) went
(4) go

3

While shewastaking a stroll. she _ _ _ _ _ _ several new houses along the
street.
(3) noticed
(1) notices
(4) would notice
(2) was noticing

4

Mr and Mrs Kang _ _ _ _ _ _ in London since 1991 and they will remain
there for a long time.
(3) live
(1) have lived
(4) lived
(2) have been living

5

in New York for the pC?-st six months but right now shE:; is
Janet
back in Singapore for a holiday.
(1) works
(3) has been working
(2) worked
. (4) is working

6

_ _ _ _ _ her mother to Australia yesterday.
Irene
just
They will be away for two weeks.
(3) have ... taken
(1) has ... taken
(4) is ... taken
(2) had ... taken

7

They _ _ _ _ _ _ the rooms when Joshua came to ask them for help.
(1) are painting
(3) was painting
(2) were painting
(4) is painting

8

She reported for work only after the manager
(1) arrived
(3) was arriving
(2) arrive
(4) arrival

9

Please come quickly! Don't you know that I _ _ _ _ _ _ for you?
(1) wait
(3) waited
(4) have waited
(2) am waiting

10 I _ _ _ _ _ _ with you since ten o'clock and I do not wish to continue further.
(1) argue
(3) argued
(2) arguing
(4) have been arguing
(

Exercise 27: TENSES
Choose the most suitable answer to fill in the blank. Write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4)
in the brackets.

1

Mrs Lim left the house a few minutes ago. She _ _ _ _ _ _ to the market.
(1) goes .
(3) went
(2) has gone
(4) had gone

2

The maid won't be at home . She _ _ _ _ _ _ with us.
(1) was coming
(3) is coming
(2) had come
(4) have come

3

We _______ our share of the work. Now you must do the rest.
(1) had done
(3) are doing
(4) were doing
(2) have done

4

In his anger, he rushed towards Jimmy and _ _ _ _ _ _ him into the pool.
(1) pushed
(3) pushes
(2) has pushed
(4) push

5

A group of pupils _______ Singapore later today for a short holiday in
Malaysia.
(1) leave
(3) leaving
)
(2) leaves
(4) left

6

A bevy of beauties _ _ _ _ _ _ to take part in the modelling contest to be
held next week.
(1) are selected
(3) has been selected
)
(2) has selected
(4) selected

7

Jam and butter _ _ _ _ _ _ delicious on toasted bread.
(1) taste
(3) tasted
(2) tastes
(4) tasting

8

My family _ _ _ _ _ _ abroad for a holiday every year and we plan to visit
China this year.
(3) . went
(1) go
(2) goes
)
(4) going
i

9

Miss Pats _ _ _ _ _ _ for home when the phone rang.
(1) is leaving
(3) has left
(2) leaves
(4) had left

)

10 The directors of the company _ _ _ _ _ a meeting for the shareholders next
week.
(1) hold
(3) are holding
)
(2) held
(4) has held

Exercise 28: TENSES
Choose the most suitable answer to fill in the blank. Write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4) .
in the brackets.
1 I ~ _ _ _ _ _ for you when you are preparing for your examinations.
- - U) §hall cook
(3) have cooked
(2) have- beBn cooking _ . ..
(4) would cook

2

The governors _ _ _ _ _ _ a new committee to represent the Parents' Support
Group next week.
(1) nominated .
(3) is nominated
(2) will nominate
(4) is nominating

3

My grandfather _ _ _ _ _ _ daily starting from next week.
(1) exercised
(3) will exercise
(2) exercising
(4) exercise

4

While he was driving along the highway, he _ _ _ _ _ _ a dead dog.
(1) spots
(3) spotted
(2) was spotting
(4) would spot
(

5

While he was preparing for his trip to Nepal he _ _ _ _ _ _ sick.
(1) fall
(3) falls
(2) fell
(4) fallen
Mrs Yeoh _ _----'-_ _ _ to the community centre once a week to meet her
friends.
(3) go
(1) goes
(2) has gone
(4) is gone
(

7

Both his·sons _ _ _ _ _ _ every word he says because they are afraid of him.
(1) obeyed
(3) obey
(2) were obeying
_- - (4) have obeyed

She cooked herseli a.-gOod dinner after she _ _ _ _ _ _ home .
(1) re.1J,.u:n- - --- .
(3) returned
- ------2)7eturns
(4) returning
They _ _ _ _ _ _ home when they met with an accident.
(3) are going
(1) is going
(2) was going
(4) were going
The teachers _ _ _ _ _ _ for the pupils to turn up since seven o'clock this
morning.
(1) wait
(3) have been waiting
(2) waited
(4) are waiting

E~ercis

29: TENSES

Choose the most suitable answer to fill in the blank. Write its number (1, 2, 3 or 4)
in the brackets.
1

James
a new house last year and he
(1) bought ... has moved
(3) bought ... moves __ _--(2) bought ... had moved
(4) boo§ht-:-: . nave moved

into it.

2

Last week, the teacher _ _ _ _ _ _ her pupils to the Pasir Ris Park for a picnic.
(1) take
(3) took
(2) has taken
(4) was taking

3

John _ _ _ _ _ _ iennis with a group of friends on Tuesdays to keep fit.
(1) will play
(3) played
(2) plays
(4) has played

4

The baby _ _ _ _ _ _ the letter to pieces and started _ _ _ _ _ _ them.
(1) tear .. . chewing
(3) is tearing ... to chew
(2) torn .... chewing
(4) tore .. . chewing

5

Look! My diamond necklace is no longer in the drawer. It _ _ _.
(1) is stealing
(3) was stolen
(2) will be stolen
(4) has been stolen

6

If I had enough money, I _ _ _ _ _ _ a gold bracelet.
(3) would buy
(1) buy
(2) shall buy
(4) have bought

7

I am leaving for London this afternoon and I _ _ _ _ _ _ next week.
(1) return
(3) returned
(2) have returned
(4) shall return

8

Cornwall Gardens _ _ _ _ _ _ a new residential estate where many foreigners
stay.
(1) is
(3) are
(2) was
(4) were

9

The factory workers _ _ _ _ _ _ up to buy food from the hawkers at noon
daily.
(1) queue
(3) queues
(4) queuing
(2) queued

-.

10 Mr and Mrs Ling have cancelled their trip to Israel because their daughter
_ _ _ _ _ _ with an accident.
(3) has met
(1) had met
)
(4) will meet
(2) meets