SELT Correct Verb Tense Usage 2

Question 1

She ______ in New York for five years before moving to Chicago.

Accepted Answer

had lived

Answer

Past perfect 'had lived' is used for an action completed before another past event.

Question 2

By the time you arrive, I ______ dinner.

Accepted Answer

will have finished

Answer

Future perfect 'will have finished' expresses an action that will be completed before a future point in time.

Question 3

He ______ his homework when his friend called.

Accepted Answer

was doing

Answer

Past continuous 'was doing' describes an ongoing action interrupted by another past event.

Question 4

Water ______ at 100 degrees Celsius.

Accepted Answer

boils

Answer

Simple present 'boils' is used for scientific facts and general truths.

Question 5

I ______ never ______ sushi before last night.

Accepted Answer

had / eaten

Answer

Past perfect 'had eaten' describes an experience (or lack thereof) before a specific past time.

(SELT) Skills for English Practice Test