SELT Correct Verb Tense Usage 4

Question 1

The train ______ at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow according to the schedule.

Accepted Answer

leaves

Answer

Simple present is used for scheduled or timetabled future events.

Question 2

While she ______ the presentation, the lights went out.

Accepted Answer

was giving

Answer

Past continuous 'was giving' describes the ongoing background action interrupted by the power failure.

Question 3

By the end of this month, he ______ here for a year.

Accepted Answer

will have been working

Answer

Future perfect continuous 'will have been working' shows the duration of an ongoing action up to a future point.

Question 4

She ______ her keys, so she couldn't get into the house.

Accepted Answer

had lost

Answer

Past perfect 'had lost' shows the key loss happened before the inability to enter the house.

Question 5

We ______ for the bus for 30 minutes when it finally arrived.

Accepted Answer

had been waiting

Answer

Past perfect continuous 'had been waiting' emphasizes the duration of an action before another past event.

(SELT) Skills for English Practice Test