All past tenses – English Grammar Test for B2
Grammar » Grammar Test for B2 » All past tenses – English Grammar Test for B2
A: Where ___ (you/go) yesterday afternoon?
B: I went to the library.
2
A: Did you enjoy the movie?
B: Yes, but when we ___ (arrive), it had already started.
3
A: What ___ (you/do) at 8 p.m. last night?
B: I was studying for my test.
4
A: Why was she upset?
B: Because she ___ (not/finish) her project in time.
5
A: I called you last night, but you didn’t answer.
B: Sorry, I ___ (sleep).
6
A: Did you see Anna at the party?
B: No, she ___ (leave) before I arrived.
7
A: How long ___ (you/live) in Paris before you moved to London?
B: Five years.
8
A: I met John yesterday.
B: Really? I ___ (not/see) him for ages before that.
9
A: The ground was wet.
B: Yes, it ___ (rain) all night.
10
A: What were you doing when the phone rang?
B: I ___ (cook) dinner.
11
A: Did you finish your essay yesterday?
B: Yes, I ___ (write) it before dinner.
12
A: How was the exam?
B: Difficult, because I ___ (not/study) enough.
13
A: Were you at home yesterday evening?
B: Yes, I ___ (watch) TV when you called.
14
A: Did you enjoy your trip?
B: Yes, we ___ (travel) around Italy for two weeks.
15
A: Why were you so tired?
B: Because I ___ (work) in the garden all day.
16
A: Did you go to the meeting?
B: No, by the time I got there, it ___ (already/finish).
17
A: I heard you spoke French very well.
B: Yes, I ___ (study) it for years before I moved to Canada.
18
A: I saw Peter yesterday.
B: That’s strange. He told me he ___ (be) in Spain.
19
A: What happened at the concert?
B: While we ___ (listen) to the band, the lights went out.
20
A: Why was the teacher angry?
B: Because the students ___ (not/do) their homework.
21
A: How long ___ (you/wait) when the bus finally came?
B: Almost an hour.
22
A: Did you go shopping yesterday?
B: No, I ___ (already/buy) everything the day before.
23
A: Did you enjoy the book?
B: Yes, I ___ (read) it after I had seen the movie.
24
A: I saw you at 6 o’clock.
B: Yes, I ___ (walk) home from work then.
25
A: How did you know about the accident?
B: Someone ___ (tell) me before I arrived.
26
A: Was it raining when you left the house?
B: Yes, it ___ (rain) heavily at that moment.
27
A: Did you recognize the man?
B: Yes, I ___ (meet) him once before.
28
A: What were you doing when the earthquake started?
B: I ___ (sit) in the living room.
29
A: Did you call Sarah yesterday?
B: No, because I ___ (already/speak) to her earlier.
30
A: Why were you so happy yesterday?
B: Because I ___ (just/get) good news.
Answer
1 did you go – Past Simple for a specific time yesterday.
2 arrived – Past Simple; the movie had already started earlier.
3 were you doing – Past Continuous for an action in progress at 8 p.m.
4 hadn’t finished – Past Perfect negative shows reason for being upset.
5 was sleeping – Past Continuous explains why call was unanswered.
6 had left – Past Perfect for earlier departure before arrival.
7 had you lived – Past Perfect for duration before moving.
8 hadn’t seen – Past Perfect negative emphasizes long absence.
9 had been raining – Past Perfect Continuous explains the wet ground.
10 was cooking – Past Continuous interrupted by the phone.
11 had written – Past Perfect for completion before dinner.
12 hadn’t studied – Past Perfect negative shows lack of preparation.
13 was watching – Past Continuous for background activity.
14 travelled – Past Simple for a completed trip.
15 had been working – Past Perfect Continuous explains tiredness.
16 had already finished – Past Perfect indicates meeting ended earlier.
17 had studied – Past Perfect for action completed before moving.
18 was – Past Simple for reported state in the past.
19 were listening – Past Continuous for background action interrupted.
20 hadn’t done – Past Perfect negative indicates cause of anger.
21 had you been waiting – Past Perfect Continuous emphasizes duration.
22 had already bought – Past Perfect before yesterday.
23 read – Past Simple action after seeing the movie.
24 was walking – Past Continuous at a specific past time.
25 had told – Past Perfect earlier action before arrival.
26 was raining – Past Continuous at the moment of leaving.
27 had met – Past Perfect for earlier acquaintance.
28 was sitting – Past Continuous at the time of interruption.
29 had already spoken – Past Perfect before yesterday’s time.
30 had just got – Past Perfect with “just” explains happiness.