Exercises

Type your answer, then press "Check". Put the verbs in brackets into the simple past or past continuous tense. When there are more verbs to be filled in, type a comma in between the different verb forms. Whenever you have to fill in an interrogative do not forget to type the subject in the sentence.

1. Mr Smith never (wake) up in time in the mornings and always (get) into trouble for being late; so one day he (go) to town and (buy) an alarm clock.

   
   
   Check Hint

2. To get home he (have to) go through a field where a bad-tempered bull usually (graze).

   
   
   Check Hint

3. This bull normally (not chase) people unless something (make) him angry. Unfortunately, as Mr Smith (cross) the field, his alarm clock (go) off.

   
   
   Check Hint

4. This (annoy) the bull, who immediately (begin) to chase Mr Smith.

   
   
   Check Hint

5. Mr Smith (carry) an open umbrella as it (rain) slightly. He (throw) the umbrella to the ground and (run) away as fast as he could.

   
   
   Check Hint

6. The bull (stop) and (begin) to attack the umbrella. While he (do) this Mr Smith escaped.

   
   
   Check Hint

7. When he (awake) she (sit) by the window. She (look) at something in the street, but when he (call) her, she (turn) and (smile) at him.

   
   
   Check Hint

8. Why you (interrupt) me just now? I (have) a very interesting conversation with Mr Pitt.

   
   
   Check Hint

9. The murderer (carry) the corpse down the stairs when he (hear) a knock on the door.

   
   
   Check Hint

10. When I (look) through your books I (notice) that you have a copy of 'Murder in the Cathedral'.

    
    
    Check Hint

11. As they (walk) along the road they (hear) a car coming from behind them.Tom (turn) round and (hold) up his hand. The car (stop).

    
    
    Check Hint

12. When I (arrive) at the station Mary (wait) for me. She (wear) a blue dress and (look) very pretty. As soon as she (see) me she (wave) and (shout) something, but I couldn't hear what she (say) because everybody (make) such a noise.

    
    
    Check Hint

13. The prisoner (escape) by climbing the wall of the garden where he (work). He (wear) blue overalls and black shoes.

    
    
    Check Hint

14. She said that the car (travel) at 40 k.p.h. when it (begin) to skid.

    
    
    Check Hint

15. She said that she (not like) her present flat and (try) to find another.

    
    
    Check Hint

16. While he (make) his speech the minister suddenly (feel) faint. But someone (bring) him a glass of water and after a few minutes he (be able) to continue.

    
    
    Check Hint

17. When I (see) him he (paint) a portrait of his wife. You (like) it?
    He only just (start) when I (see) it, so I couldn't judge.

    
    
    Check Hint

18. I (take) mly friend to a murder trial the other day. Who (be) tried? A man called Bill Sykes. Was he acquitted? I don't know. They still (listen) to the evidence when we (leave).

    
    
    Check Hint

19. I (be) sorry that I (have to) leave the party early, because I (enjoy) myself.

    
    
    Check Hint

20. As we (come) here a policeman (stop) us. He (say) that he (look) for some stolen property and (ask) if he could search the car.

    
    
    Check Hint

21. I (see) you yesterday from the bus. Why you (use) a stick? I (use) a stick because I had hurt my leg that morning falling off a horse. Whose horse you (ride)?

    
    
    Check Hint

22. The floor was covered with balls of wool. Obviously Mrs Pitt (knit) something.

    
    
    Check Hint

23. Ann said that she (be) on holiday. I (say) that I (hope) that she (enjoy) herself.

    
    
    Check Hint

24. While he (water) the flowers it (begin) to rain. He (put) up his umbrella and (go) on watering.

    
    
    Check Hint

25. I just (write) a cheque when I (remember) that I (have) nothing in the bank.

    
    
    Check Hint

26. I (find) this ring as I (dig) in the garden. It looks very old. I wonder who it (belong) to?

    
    
    Check Hint