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.

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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

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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.

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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.