PRESENT PERFECT AND SIMPLE PAST

We.................. last week. We.................... here for 5 days.

• had arrived / have been

• have arrived / were

• arrived / have been

Answer explanation

➪ We use the past simple with a past expression: last week, yesterday, when I was a child, etc.

➪ We can use the present perfect with for and since and how long to ask or talk about situations that started in the past and have not finished.

This is the most delicious dish I ................................ .

• have ever eaten

• ate

• have eaten

Answer explanation

➪ We can use the present perfect with a superlative adjective and ever.

It's been a month ............ we last had a meal together.

• for

• to

• since

• ago

Answer explanation

➪ We use since + the moment in the past when something started. If we use a verb after since, it’s usually in past.

Have you .............. imagined how life would be without having to work?

• yet

• ever

• once

Answer explanation

➪ We often use ever in questions with present perfect to ask about experiences.

➪ Ever goes before the main verb.

A: Mary isn't here. She ............... to Egypt.

B: I ........... to Egypt.

• went / have never gone

• has gone / wasn't

• has gone / have never been

Answer explanation

➪ When we don’t say when these events happened use Present perfect tense.

➪ We often use the words never, ever, or before to talk about experiences.

➪ We say someone has gone somewhere when this person is still away, and we say someone has been somewhere when this person has already come back from that place.

I ............... my arm. I ............. it playing with my cousin.

• 've broken / broke

• 've never broken / broke

• 've broken / broken

Answer explanation

➪ We use the present perfect to introduce a past event or experience and we don't say when (I've broken my arm), but if we continue talking and we give details, then we use the past simple (I broke it playing with...).

A: I ................ to China this year.

B: When ........... there?

• have been / have you been

• was / had you gone

• have been / did you go

Answer explanation

➪ We can use the present perfect with time expressions when the time we mention has not finished: today, this week, this year, etc (I've been to China this year).

➪ We use the past simple when we mention or ask about when something happened (When did you go?).

A: How long .............. a teacher?    

B: I .............. teaching a long time ago.

• have you been / started

• have you been / have started

• were / started

Answer explanation

➪ We can use the present perfect with for and since and how long to ask or talk about situations that started in the past and have not finished.

➪ We use the past simple when we mention or ask about when something happened, or when the time is known by the speaker and the listener. (a long time ago).

Since records .............. in 1880, the global temperature ............... 0.85 degrees Celsius.

• had begun / rizen

• began / have risen

• have began / have risen

Answer explanation

➪ We use SINCE before the moment in the past when something started. If we use a verb after SINCE, it’s usually in PAST.

➪ We can use the PRESENT PERFECT with FOR and SINCE and HOW LONG to ask or talk about situations that started in the past and have not finished.

She ......... so active and sporty at university. But after the accident he ................. the same.

• was / wasn't

• was / has never been

• has been / has never been

Answer explanation

➪ We use the past simple when we mention or ask about when something happened (at university).

➪ We often use present perfect with the words never, ever, or before.