GRAMMAR 1 PAST TIME PART 1

FIRST CERTIFICATE LANGUAGE PRACTICE

PAST TIME

Describing events in the past
Main events	The past simple is used to describe finished actions and events in the past.	Susan went into the station and bought a ticket
Background description	The past continuous is used to describe actions in progress in the past. It gives information about the background situation	There were a lot of people waiting in the station. Some were sleeping on the benches, and others were walking up and down. Susan was looking for Graham, so she didn’t sit down.
Past perfect	The past perfect is used to make it clear that one past event happens before another past event. We use past perfect for the earlier event. It is not always necessary to use past perfect if a time expression makes the order of events clear	By the time the train arrived, Susan had managed to push her way to the front of the crowd. Before the train arrived, Susan managed to push her way to the front of the crowd.
Past continuous used with past simple	We often use past continuous first to set the scene, and then the past simple for the separate, completed actions that happen. We often contrast an action in progress with a sudden event which interrupts it,	Susan was looking for Graham, so she didn’t sit down. Instead, she tried calling him on her mobile phone. While Susan was trying to get onto the platform, a man grabbed her handbag.
Participle clauses	Participle clauses are introduced by the time expressions before, after and while. They have the same subject as the following clause.	After Struggling with him, Susan pulled the bag from his hands.

Habits in the past
Past simple	The past simple is used to describe past habits or states. A time expression is usually necessary.	I always got up at six in those days (habit) I lived in Austria for several years. (state)
Used to	Used to is used to describe past habits or states. When we use used to we suggest that the action is no longer true and so make a strong contrast with the present	I used to get up at six, but now I get up at eight. I used to own a horse. (I own a horse once) I didn’t use to like her. Did you use to swim every day?
Would	Would is used to describe a person’s typical activities in the past. It can only be used to describe repeated actions, not states.	Every evening was the same. Jack would turn on the radio, lights his pipe and fall asleep.
Past continuous	The past continuous can be used to describe a repeated action in the past, often an annoying habit. A frequency adverb is necessary.	When Peter was younger, he was always getting into trouble.

Politeness and uncertainty
We can use the past continuous with think, hope and wonder to give a polite or uncertain meaning.	I was thinking of having a party next week. I was hoping you would join us at the café tonight. I was wondering if you could help me

1. Choose the best answer

Usually, whenever Peter (1) ……C…… home from a trip he (2) ………… his passport in his desk drawer, but in January, after a trip to Poland, he (3) ………… his passport in the pocket of his overcoat. Two weeks later, he (4) ………… fly to Thailand. While (5) ………… his bag he (6) ………… that he (7) ………… a note of the name of the hostel that his company (8) ………… for him. He (9) ………… for his flight online earlier in the morning, but he (10) ………… about the hotel details. While he (11) ………… his office, the doorbell (12) ………… . His taxi for the airport (13) ………… . He (14) ………… the details of the hotel, (15) ………… his bag and (16) ………… out of the house. He (17) ………… forward to a few sunny days in Bangkok. While he (18) ………… how nice it would be to walk around the city without heavy winter clothes, he suddenly (19) ………… that he (20) ………… his passport in his overcoat.

1	A	was returning	B	returns	C	returned	D	returning
2	A	had put	B	would put	C	was putting	D	puts
3	A	had left	B	leaves	C	was leaving	D	leaving
4	A	was having to	B	has had to	C	had to	D	would have to
5	A	packed	B	packing	C	had packed	D	packs
6	A	was realizing	B	realizes	C	realized	D	realizing
7	A	hadn’t made	B	didn’t make	C	wouldn’t make	D	wasn’t making
8	A	was booked	B	books	C	booking	D	had booked
9	A	was checking in	B	had checked in	C	checked in	D	used to check in
10	A	forgetting	B	forgotten	C	had forgotten	D	was forgetting
11	A	was phoning	B	had phoned	C	phoning	D	phones
12	A	rung	B	ring	C	was ringing	D	rang
13	A	arriving	B	arrive	C	was arriving	D	had arrived
14	A	was noting	B	used to note	C	noted	D	noting
15	A	picked up	B	was picking up	C	had picked up	D	picking up
16	A	ran	B	running	C	was running	D	run
17	A	looked	B	was looking	C	looking	D	had looked
18	A	had thought	B	thinking	C	was thinking	D	would think
19	A	remembered	B	remembers	C	was remembering	D	remembering
20	A	leaving	B	had left	C	was leaving	D	was left

ANSWER KEY

1	C	11	A
2	B	12	D
3	A	13	D
4	C	14	C
5	B	15	A
6	C	16	A
7	A	17	B
8	D	18	C
9	B	19	A
10	C	20	B