Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in past perfect tense:
1. Before the concert started, the orchestra members ________ rehearsing for weeks, and they ________ their musical skills to a new level that ________ a breathtaking performance.
a) have been / had honed / would guarantee
b) had been / had honed / guaranteed
c) were / honed / guarantees
d) had been / have honed / guaranteed
Answer: b)
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in past perfect tense:
2. By the time the team reached the archaeological site, the experts ________ excavating artifacts that ________ buried for centuries, revealing glimpses of ancient civilisations that ________ untouched for ages.
a) have begun / have been / remained
b) had begun / had been / had remained
c) began / have been / remain
d) had begun / have been / remained
Answer: b)
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in the present perfect tense:
3. The archaeologists ___________ to unearth ancient artefacts from the site that ___________ an intriguing glimpse into the historical events of the region.
a) has started / provided
b) have begun / were providing
c) had begun / provide
d) have started / offer
Answer: d)
4. Over the years, many renowned scientists and researchers ___________ numerous studies that ___________ crucial insights into the behaviour of certain endangered species, paving the way for enhanced conservation efforts.
a) have conducted / have provided
b) conducted / were providing
c) had conducted / providing
d) have been conducting / offered
Answer: a)
5. By the time the astronauts reach Mars, they ___________ countless experiments in microgravity, which ___________ valuable data for future space missions.
a) will have conducted / will provide
b) would have conducted / provided
c) will conduct / have provided
d) would conduct / have been providing
Answer: a)
6. Before the end of the year, the research team ___________ a comprehensive report that ___________ insights into the effects of climate change on coastal ecosystems.
a) will compile / will have offered
b) would compile / had offered
c) will have compiled / offers
d) would have compiled / had been offering
Answer: c)
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in past continuous tense:
7. While the students ___________ fervently for their exams, the teachers ___________ additional study materials to assist them in their preparations.
a) are studying / had compiled
b) studied / compile
c) were studying / were compiling
d) had studied / compile
Answer: c)
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in past continuous tense:
8. While the chef ___________ the main course, the rest of the kitchen staff ___________ the appetisers for the evening banquet.
a) prepared / are preparing
b) prepares / prepared
c) was preparing / prepared
d) had prepared / were preparing
Answer: c)
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in past continuous tense:
9. As the storm raged outside, the family ___________ board games together, enjoying each other's company in the cozy warmth of their home.
a) played
b) are playing
c) had played
d) was playing
Answer: d)
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in past continuous tense:
10. While the construction workers ___________ the foundation, the architects and engineers ___________ the blueprints for the skyscraper, ensuring precision in every detail.
a) are laying / had finalised
b) laid / finalise
c) were laying / were finalising
d) had laid / finalise
Answer: c)
11. Choose the appropriate tense for the blank in the given sentence from the given option:
Bryan _____ when the meeting started. (CREST 2021-22)
a) hasn’t arrived
b) hadn’t been arriving
c) hasn’t been arriving
d) hadn’t arrived
Answer: d)
12. While the chefs ___________ the dishes, the waiters ___________ the tables, preparing for the evening rush.
a) are cooking / were setting
b) cooked / set
c) were cooking / were setting
d) had cooked / set
Answer: c)
13. The team _____ the report by the time the deadline passed. (CREST 2021-22)
a) didn’t finish
b) hadn’t finished
c) hasn’t finished
d) hadn’t been finishing
Answer: b)
14. When I checked my phone, I realised I _____ any messages.
a) hadn’t received
b) didn’t receive
c) hasn’t received
d) wasn’t receiving
Answer: a)
15. While the farmers ___________ the fields, the agronomists ___________ the soil samples, conducting important research.
a) are plowing / were analysing
b) plowed / analysed
c) were plowing / were analysing
d) had plowed / analysed
Answer: c)
16. Choose the appropriate tense for the blank in the given sentence:
Lydia ______ a fantasy story when she was travelling back to Mumbai. (CREST 2023-24)
a) had been read
b) has been reading
c) read
d) has read
Answer: c)
17. While the gardeners ___________ the plants, the landscaper ___________ the design for the new garden.
a) are watering / was finalising
b) watered / finalised
c) were watering / was finalising
d) had watered / finalised
Answer: c)
18. Over the past decade, several advancements in technology ___________ the way people communicate, leading to innovations that ___________ everyday life.
a) have transformed / have improved
b) transformed / were improving
c) had transformed / improved
d) were transforming / have improved
Answer: a)
19. In the past few months, our team ___________ multiple projects that ___________ the company's overall performance.
a) have completed / have enhanced
b) completed / enhanced
c) had completed / enhancing
d) were completing / enhanced
Answer: a)
20. Recently, educators ___________ new teaching methods that ___________ student engagement and learning outcomes.
a) have developed / have improved
b) developed / improved
c) had developed / improving
d) were developing / improved
Answer: a)
