Primary School · General English

Mixed Tenses: Practice Questions

5 multiple-choice questions marked as you go, and 5 written questions with worked solutions. All on Mixed Tenses.

10 questions30 marksFree, no account

Question 1

1 mark

My brother usually ________ a cup of warm milk before bed, but last night he ________ some yummy homemade soup because the weather ________ very cold.

Question 2

1 mark

The children ____ loudly in the corridor when the teacher suddenly ____ out of the staff room.

Question 3

1 mark

By the time the firemen _________ at the scene last night, the fire _________ already _________ the whole kitchen.

Question 4

1 mark

My cousin ____ in Canada since 2010, but he ____ us here in Hong Kong last winter.

Question 5

1 mark

My cousin ________ the piano every day, but today he ________ a new song on the guitar for the school talent show.

Question 6

3 marks

Complete the following sentence with the correct form of the verbs in brackets:

'We ____ (have) a picnic in the park today because the weather ____ (be) too rainy last Sunday.'

In one short sentence, explain why two different tenses are needed here.

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

Question 7

5 marks

Complete the following paragraph with the correct form of the verbs in brackets:

While I ____ (read) about Professor Yuan's achievements last night, I ____ (realize) how important food security is. Since then, I ____ (start) a campaign to reduce food waste, and we ____ (hold) a 'Food Appreciation Day' at school next month.

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

Question 8

6 marks

Complete the following paragraph with the correct form of the verbs in brackets:

Since the new library ____ (open) last month, I ____ (already, borrow) ten books. While I ____ (walk) home yesterday, I ____ (realize) that I ____ (forget) my umbrella there. If it ____ (rain) tomorrow, I will need to go back and get it.

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Question 9

6 marks

Read the short story about a school festival and fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs in brackets.

Every December, our school (a. host) ______ a grand winter festival. Right now, the students (b. decorate) ______ the hall with colorful lights. Last year, my sister (c. perform) ______ a beautiful dance on stage. Tomorrow, if it is not raining, we (d. have) ______ a small bazaar in the playground. I (e. visit) ______ the school festival every year since I joined this school.

Part B: In one short sentence, explain why you chose the specific verb form for part (b).

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

Question 10

5 marks

Read the diary entry and complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets. Explain your reasoning for the tense choice in part (c).

Dear Diary,
Today is a busy day! Right now, I (a. sit) ______ in the library. I (b. finish) ______ my homework already, so I am reading a book. Yesterday, I (c. visit) ______ my grandmother. Usually, I (d. see) ______ her on Sundays, but she was busy this weekend. Tomorrow, my father (e. take) ______ me to the park if it is sunny.

Reasoning for (c):
___________________________________________________

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