Question

1. At the time of his marriage, Chuck … still a poor student with no prospects.
a. has been c. had been
b. was being d. was
2. Gravity … things towards the centre of the Earth.
a. is pulling c. pulled
b. pulls d. has pulled
3. Mother … the soup to see if it is warm enough for the baby.
a. is tasting c. tasted
b. has been tasting d. tastes
4. Here … the bus! You’d better hurry!
a. has come c. comes
b. came d. is coming
5. The company … for office managers now.
a. advertises c. has advertised
b. is advertising d. advertised
6. In the older days, workers … their employers with great formality.
a. treated c. have treated
b. used to treating d. were treating
7. Inflation … at the rate of 7% at the moment.
a. has run c. has been running
b. is running d. runs
8. Doctors … always … us to eat in moderation and exercise regularly.
a. are; advising c. have; been advising
b. –; advise d. had; advised
9. The legislation … into force on 1 January 2005.
a. comes c. had come
b. came d. has come
10. Carlos … forever … his temper with people! He must learn to calm down.
a. is; losing c. was; losing
b. has; lost d. –; loses
11. More than 6.5 million Americans … out of work in the last few months.
a. were c. have been
b. were being d. had been
12. Cameron is very intelligent. He … five different languages.
a. speaks c. has spoken
b. is speaking d. spoke

13. What time … the accident …?
a. has; happened c. did; happen
b. was; happening d. had; happened

14. When I was at school I … wearing a uniform but I’d find it hard now.
a. was c. was used to
b. used to d. got used to
15. I … if I am asked questions about what I’m doing.
a. am not minding c. have not minded
b. do not mind d. did not mind
16. Vicki is not at home. She … just … to the salon to have a manicure.
a. –; went c. had; gone
b. is; going d. has; gone
17. Our old car was very unreliable. It … constantly … .
a. is; breaking c. –; breaks
b. was; breaking d. –; broke
18. Sorry I’m late. I … to find a parking place.
a. was trying c. tried
b. am trying d. have been trying
19. The mayor … just now … the mass evacuation of the villages closest to the active volcano.
a. was; ordering c. had; been ordering
b. –; ordered d. has; ordered
20. How long … you … the Internet for health-related information?
a. did; search c. have; been searching
b. were; searching d. are; searching
21. The 2010 Junior Eurovision Song Contest … place on 20 November in Minsk, Belarus.
a. has taken c. was taking
b. took d. had taken
22. Lucy and I … in Perth where we run a successful catering business.
a. are living c. have lived
b. have been living d. live
23. What time … you … at work this morning?
a. had; arrived c. did; arrive
b. were; arriving d. do; arrive
24. Mr Newman is a very interesting person. He … all kinds of unusual facts.
a. has been knowing c. is knowing
b. knows d. has known
25. Sophie … very quiet today. I wonder if anything is wrong.
a. was c. is
b. be d. is being
26. Prior to becoming a production manager he … economics and management.
a. had studied c. was studying
b. studied d. has been studying
27. I’m tired of working in an office. I … of changing my job.
a. had been thinking c. think
b. used to thinking d. am thinking
28. The wives of the first three US presidents … many unique contributions to the country’s early history.
a. had made c. made
b. were making d. have made
29. Ashley Manning is very happy. He … a poetry competition.
a. won c. has won
b. wins d. had won
30. Sorry, could you say that again? I … to you.
a. haven’t been listening c. didn’t listen
b. don’t listen d. haven’t listened
31. Actually, I … a cup of tea first thing every morning but then I switch to coffee.
a. am drinking c. have drunk
b. do drink d. have been drinking
32. Your shoes are dirty. … you … in the forest?
a. Were; walking c. Have; walked
b. Did; walk d. Have; been walking
33. Taylor … of leaving his job and going into business for himself.
a. was thinking c. had thought
b. thought d. has been thinking
34. According to the timetable, the train for Frankfurt … at 10.15 a.m.
a. leave c. leaves
b. is going to leave d. is leaving
35. These days, Jeff … to be more aware of his responsibilities.
a. begins c. begun
b. was beginning d. is beginning
36. I … on this since six o’clock and now it’s nearly midnight. I’m tired!
a. have worked c. worked
b. have been working d. was working
37. How long is it since you last … to church, apart from weddings, funerals and similar occasions?
a. has gone c. had gone
b. was going d. went
38. … you two … before? Eric, this is Amanda.
a. Did; meet c. Had; met
b. Have; met d. Were; meeting
39. In June 2010 the Spanish Prime Minister, a known atheist, … his first visit to the Vatican for an audience with the Pope.
a. made c. used to make
b. has made d. had made
40. Peter’s present job as a television reporter … occasionally … him in life-threatening situations.
a. is; placing c. was; placing
b. –; places d. has; placed

Answer 1

1. d
2. b
3. a
4. c
5. b
6. a
7. b
8. b
9. b
10. b
11. c
12. a
13. c
14. b
15. b
16. d
17. b
18. d
19. d
20. c
21. b
22. a
23. c
24. b
25. c (d)
26. a
27. d
28. c (a)
29. c
30. a
31. b (d)
32. d
33. a (c)
34. c
35. d
36. b
37. d
38. b
39. a
40. a