The past simple versus the present perfect
Ex.37. Choose the correct tense, either the Past Simple or the Present Perfect.
Dan Brown, an American author of thriller fiction, best known for the 2003 bestselling novel ‘The Da Vinci Code’has so far written/wrote so far seven books, with two being adapted to cinema.
Agatha Christie has written /wrote a lot of brilliant detective novels.
TheKrugerslived/have livedinGermanyforfiveyears, andthentheymoved/havemovedtoAustria. Theylived/have livedin Vienna forthreeyearsnow.
My uncle has worked/worked as a banker for 25 years. Then he retired.
I wrote/have written a letter but I cannot send it. My computer is disconnected.
Did you have/have you had your breakfast? – Yes, I have had/had it at 7.30.
Jane went/has gone to Canada a year ago. She has worked/worked in Toronto for a while and then went/has gone to the United States.
Hedidn’t smoke /hasn’t smoked for three months. He wants to give it up.
Help yourself to a piece of cheese cake! I just baked /have baked it.
I was in/have been to London several times.
Ex.38.In the following sentences put the verbs in brackets in either the Past Simple or the Present Perfect. Look at the example provided.
1. Last night I saw (see) “This Means War” at the cinema. –
Oh, I have already seen(see) it twice.
I see you’ve got a new car. When _________ (buy) it?
_______ (read) any books by Wilbur Smith? – No, I don’t even know this author.
She ________ (work) for a big law firm for 30 years. Then she retired.
You ____ (be) here before? –Yes, I ____ (spend ) my holidays here last year.
You ________ (find) the money which you ________ (lose) yesterday ? – Yes, I have. I ______ (find) it in the pocket of my coat when I ______ (come) home.
How long you ________ (know) him? – We ________ (meet) in 1996, but we ________ (not see) each other since last summer.
Who________ (invent) the television?
They say scientists ______ (discover) a new planet.
I ________(leave) working for Hendersons four years ago. Then I _____(work) for Jacobs for a while, and then I ______ (join) this company. I _______(work) here for three years.
Isabel ________ (move) into her new house a month ago, but I _____ (not, visit) her yet.
Ex.39.Complete the sentences with the appropriate option.
1. When ________________ the company?
a) have you joined
b) did you joined
c) did you join
d) have you ever joined
2. ___________________ in Pakistan?
a) Did you ever worked
b) Have you ever worked
c) Worked you
d) Didn't you have worked
3. That's the best presentation ______________________ .
a) I never heard
b) I didn't hear
c) I used to hear
d) I've ever heard
4. He's the most difficult customer _____________________.
a) I never dealt with.
b) I never had to deal with.
c) I've ever had to deal with.
d) I've never had to deal with.
5. ___________________ to him last week.
a) I spoke
b) I've already spoken
c)I didn't spoke
d) I speaked
6. ______________ a binding contract last year and it is still valid.
a) We have signed
b) We signed
c) We haven't signed
d) We have sign
7. The reason I look so brown is that _______________ from a business trip to Barbados.
a) I come back
b) I came back
c) I never came back
d) I've just come back
8. Sales ________ in 1995 but then _____ in 1996.
a) risedfalled
b) rose fell
c) have risen have fallen
d) rose have fallen
9. You ____________ to a word ____________ .
a) listened I haven't said
b) didn't listen I say
c) listened saying
d) haven't listened I've said
10. It's obvious that ________________ this report.
a) you haven't read
b) you didn't read
c)you don't read
d)you read not
Ex.40. Correct the mistakes if there are any.
John is so happy. He graduated from University!
When have you graduated from University?
One of the worldwide best-selling novelists, Wilbur Smith wrote more than
thirty successful novels. Now, he is working on a new book.
Sir Isaac Newton invented calculus.
Don’t worry about the letter. I have posted it the day before yesterday.
It seems to me that I lost my glasses! I can’t find them anywhere.
You’re so absent-minded. By the way, have you finded the gloves that you lost
last week? – No, I bought a new pair the other day.
Have you got any money? –Yes, I borrowed it from my brother.
Are you tired? –Yes, a little. I painted the ceiling today.