Past Perfect (FCE TEST with ANSWERS)

 

FCE-Level Past Perfect Tense Test

Time: 15-20 minutes

Part 1: Multiple Choice (6 points)
Choose the correct option (A, B, or C) to complete the sentences.

1. By the time we arrived at the cinema, the film __________.
   A. had already started
   B. already started
   C. has already started

2. She was upset because she __________ her keys.
   A. had lost
   B. lost
   C. was losing

3. They __________ each other for years before they got married.
   A. had known
   B. knew
   C. have known

4. I couldn't get into my flat because I __________ my door key.
   A. had forgotten
   B. forgot
   C. was forgetting

5. He told me he __________ his homework.
   A. did already
   B. had already done
   C. already did

6. We were exhausted because we __________ for over 12 hours.
   A. had been travelling
   B. travelled
   C. were travelling

Part 2: Sentence Transformation (8 points)
Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given. Do not change the word given.

1. First I finished work, then I went to the gym.
   AFTER
   I went to the gym __________ work.

2. I ate lunch. Then, my friend called.
   ALREADY
   When my friend called, I __________ lunch.

3. They finished the project and then submitted it.
   HAD
   They submitted the project __________ it.

4. I didn't know about the problem. No one told me.
   BEEN
   I didn't know about the problem because I __________ about it.

Part 3: Error Correction (6 points)
Each sentence contains one mistake with the Past Perfect. Find the mistake and correct it.

1. When I got home, my family already ate dinner.

   ---

2. He was tired because he has been working all day.

   ---

3. By 2010, they lived in the same house for twenty years.

   ---

Part 4: Narrative Gap Fill (10 points)
Complete the following story with the correct form of the verb in brackets (Past Simple or Past Perfect).

Yesterday was a disaster! I _________(1. meet) my friend for coffee, but when I _________(2. get) to the café, she _________(3. leave). Why? Because I _________(4. be) very late. My morning _________(5. not start) well. I _________(6. oversleep) because I _________(7. forget) to set my alarm. Then, I couldn't find my wallet. I _________(8. realise) I _________(9. leave) it in my coat the day before. Finally, when I _________(10. run) to the bus stop, the bus had just gone.

---

Answer Key & Scoring

Part 1: Multiple Choice

1. A

2. A

3. A

4. A

5. B

6. A

Part 2: Sentence Transformation

1. ... after I had finished work.

2. ... I had already eaten lunch.

3. ... after they had finished it.

4. ... because I had not been told / hadn't been told about it.

Part 3: Error Correction

1. ... my family had already eaten dinner.

2. ... because he had been working all day.

3. By 2010, they had lived in the same house for twenty years.

Part 4: Narrative Gap Fill

1. was meeting / had arranged to meet (Past Continuous or Past Perfect acceptable for a planned past event)

2. got

3. had left

4. was / had been

5. had not started / hadn't started

6. had overslept

7. had forgotten

8. realised

9. had left

10. ran

---

Scoring Guide

• Total Points: 30

• Part 1: 1 point per question (6 total)

• Part 2: 2 points per question (8 total)

• Part 3: 2 points per question (6 total)

• Part 4: 1 point per question (10 total)

Rough FCE Grade Correlation:

• 27-30 points: Excellent (Grade A/B level). Strong command.

• 22-26 points: Good (Grade B/C level). Minor errors.

• 17-21 points: Satisfactory (Grade C/E). Understands the concept but inconsistent.

• Below 17: Needs more practice. Likely confusing Past Simple and Past Perfect.

---

What this test checks (FCE Focus):

This test mirrors FCE tasks by assessing:

• Part 1: Understanding in context.

• Part 2: Key Word Transformation – a core, challenging FCE task requiring precise grammar.

• Part 3: Self-correction ability.

• Part 4: Using the tense naturally in a narrative, which is crucial for Writing Part 2 (story) and Reading & Use of English.

Common FCE Pitfalls Included:

• Using Past Simple when Past Perfect is needed for clarity.

• Using Past Perfect when it is not necessary (e.g., with simple sequential actions linked by 'then').

• The combination with Past Perfect Continuous (had been travelling/working).

• The passive form in Past Perfect (had been told).

• Time expressions like By the time..., After, Before, Already.

Prepositions

What are Prepositions?

https://youtube.com/shorts/7pLMscuskFM?si=zwoQT5KuDO7EUD-f

Prepositions are words that show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence. They often indicate direction, place, time, or introduce an object.

Function of Prepositions:

Prepositions connect a noun or pronoun (called the object of the preposition) to other words in the sentence, helping to give more details about the relationship.

Examples of Prepositions:

1. Place/Location:

   - The book is on the table.

   - She lives near the park.

   - The keys are in my bag.

2. Time:

   - We will meet after lunch.

   - The train arrived at 5 p.m.

   - He has been working since morning.

3. Direction/Movement:

   - She walked toward the door.

   - The children ran across the playground.

   - He threw the ball into the box.

4. Other relationships:

   - The gift is for you.

   - He is famous for his paintings.

   - They are worried about the exam.

In summary:

Prepositions are essential words that help clarify the relationships between different parts of a sentence. Knowing common prepositions and how to use them correctly enhances your writing and speaking skills.

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Present Perfect Tense

Present Perfect Tense

https://youtube.com/shorts/-0P7tMhszPM?si=LJ_PcqW-_SO6ikIS

The present perfect tense is a grammatical tense used in English to describe actions or situations that have relevance to the present moment. It combines the auxiliary verb "have" (or "has" for third-person singular subjects) with the past participle of the main verb. 

 Structure:

- Affirmative: Subject + have/has + past participle

  - Example: "I have eaten."

- Negative: Subject + have/has + not + past participle

  - Example: "She has not finished her homework."

- Interrogative: Have/Has + subject + past participle?

  - Example: "Have you visited Paris?"

Uses:

1. Unspecified Time in the Past: Present perfect is often used when the exact time of the action is not important or not specified.

   - Example: "They have learned Spanish."

2. Experience: It expresses experiences or actions that have occurred at some point in the past, without saying when.

   - Example: "I have tried sushi."

3. Continuing Situation: It can describe situations that started in the past and continue to the present.

   - Example: "She has lived in London for five years."

4. Recent Past with Present Relevance: It can indicate an action that has recently been completed but has current relevance.

   - Example: "He has just finished his report."

5. Change Over Time: Used to indicate changes or developments that have occurred over a time period.

   - Example: "My English has improved since I moved here."

 Key Points:

- The specific time of the action is typically not mentioned.

- It's often used with time expressions such as "ever," "never," "before," "just," and "since."

- It's important to differentiate it from the simple past tense, which focuses on completed actions at a specific time.

Understanding the present perfect tense helps convey the connection between past actions and the present situation effectively.