Present perfect or past simple? – English Grammar Test for A2
Grammar » Grammar Test for A2 » Present perfect or past simple? - English Grammar Test for A2
Part A – Gap-fill
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb.
1 She ______ (visit) Paris last year.
2 We ______ (never eat) sushi before.
3 He ______ (already finish) his project.
4 I ______ (lose) my keys yesterday.
5 They ______ (not see) each other since 2021.
6 I ______ (meet) him at school in 2010.
7 She ______ (go) to Spain last summer.
8 He ______ (just arrive) at the station.
9 We ______ (live) here for fifteen years.
10 I ______ (buy) this book two days ago.
Part B – Sentence Transformation
Rewrite each sentence using the other tense (Past Simple ↔ Present Perfect).
11 She has never been to London. → (specific time: 2015)
12 I went to Italy last summer. → (general experience)
13 They have already eaten lunch. → (specific: at 12 o’clock)
14 He studied English when he was a child. → (ongoing: until now)
15 I have met her once. → (specific time: yesterday)
16 We saw that film two weeks ago. → (general experience)
17 She has worked here for five years. → (specific: she started in 2018)
18 I didn’t call him last night. → (recent result: use “yet”)
19 They have traveled to many countries. → (specific: Germany in 2019)
20 He read that book last month. → (general experience: until now)
Part C – Reading Comprehension
Reading Text
I have always loved music. Since I was a child, I have listened to many different styles, but I first went to a live concert when I was fifteen. My father took me to see a famous rock band, and it was an amazing night. After that, I went to several concerts with my friends. Last year, I travelled to London to see my favorite singer, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. So far, I have collected more than fifty concert tickets. They remind me of great times, and I haven’t stopped going to concerts yet.
Questions
21 When did the writer first go to a live concert?
a) At age 10
b) At age 15
22 Who took the writer to the first concert?
a) His father
b) His friends
23 What happened after the first concert?
a) He stopped going to concerts.
b) He went to several concerts with friends.
24 Where did the writer travel last year?
a) Paris
b) London
25 Why did he go there?
a) To see his favorite singer
b) To buy concert tickets
26 How many tickets has the writer collected?
a) More than 50
b) 15
27 Which tense is used in “I first went to a live concert when I was fifteen”?
a) Past Simple
b) Present Perfect
28 Which tense is used in “I have listened to many different styles”?
a) Past Simple
b) Present Perfect
29 What do the tickets remind the writer of?
a) His father
b) Great times
30 Has the writer stopped going to concerts?
a) Yes
b) No
Answer
Part A – Gap-fill
1 visited – “last year” → Past Simple.
2 have never eaten – Life experience → Present Perfect.
3 has already finished – “already” → Present Perfect.
4 lost – “yesterday” → Past Simple.
5 haven’t seen – “since 2021” → Present Perfect.
6 met – “in 2010” → Past Simple.
7 went – “last summer” → Past Simple.
8 has just arrived – “just” → Present Perfect.
9 have lived – “for fifteen years” → Present Perfect.
10 bought – “two days ago” → Past Simple.
Part B – Sentence Transformation
11 She went to London in 2015. – Past Simple with time reference.
12 I have been to Italy. – General experience → Present Perfect.
13 They ate lunch at 12 o’clock. – Past Simple with specific time.
14 He has studied English for many years. – Ongoing situation → Present Perfect.
15 I met her yesterday. – “yesterday” → Past Simple.
16 We have seen that film. – Experience → Present Perfect.
17 She started working here in 2018. – Specific starting year → Past Simple.
18 I haven’t called him yet. – “yet” → Present Perfect.
19 They went to Germany in 2019. – Specific time → Past Simple.
20 He has read that book. – General experience → Present Perfect.
Part C – Reading Comprehension
21 At age 15 – First concert, Past Simple.
22 His father – Detail in the passage.
23 He went to several concerts with friends. – After first concert → Past Simple.
24 London – Last year’s trip.
25 To see his favorite singer – Purpose of the trip.
26 More than 50 – Total tickets collected.
27 Past Simple – “went” = finished action.
28 Present Perfect – “have listened” = ongoing experience.
29 Great times – What tickets remind him of.
30 No – He hasn’t stopped going to concerts.