Past Tense Forms Quiz: Trivia Test!
What do you know about past tense forms? Sentences that are written in past tense depict an action or event that took place in the past. How good are you when it comes to writing grammatically correct sentences? In this quiz, you will be expected to complete the sentences by inserting the perfect choice for the sentence to depict something in the past tense. Give it a try and get to polish up your skills.
- 1.
There was no food left when I returned. They _____ everything!
- A.
Had eaten
- B.
ate
- C.
were eating
Correct Answer
A. Had eatenExplanation
The correct answer is "had eaten" because it indicates that the action of eating occurred before the speaker's return. The past perfect tense "had eaten" is used to describe an action that happened before another past action or event. In this case, the food was already consumed before the speaker came back.Rate this question:
-
- 2.
If she had visited us last summer, she _____ the hikes in the mountains.
- A.
Would have enjoyed
- B.
Would enjoy
- C.
Had enjoyed
Correct Answer
A. Would have enjoyedExplanation
The sentence is a conditional sentence in the past unreal condition. It suggests that the person did not visit last summer, but if she had visited, she would have enjoyed the hikes in the mountains. The correct answer is "would have enjoyed" because it matches the correct verb form for the unreal past condition.Rate this question:
-
- 3.
I _____ the bags before we left on holiday.
- A.
Checked
- B.
Was checking
- C.
had been checking
Correct Answer
A. CheckedExplanation
The correct answer is "checked". This is because the phrase "before we left on holiday" indicates that the action of checking the bags occurred in the past, before the speaker and others went on vacation. The past simple tense "checked" is the appropriate choice to describe a completed action in the past.Rate this question:
-
- 4.
She told me she was flying to Chicago last week. She _____ in her hotel room last night.
- A.
Must have been
- B.
Must be
- C.
had to be
Correct Answer
A. Must have beenExplanation
The correct answer is "must have been". This is because the sentence is in the past tense and the speaker is referring to an event that happened in the past. The phrase "must have been" indicates a strong possibility or certainty about something that occurred in the past. Therefore, it suggests that the speaker is certain that the person was in her hotel room last night.Rate this question:
-
- 5.
If he _____ the window he would repair it.
- A.
Broke
- B.
Were broken
- C.
Were breaking
Correct Answer
A. BrokeExplanation
The correct answer is "broke." This is because the sentence is in the conditional form, indicating a hypothetical situation. In this case, the sentence suggests that if he broke the window, he would then repair it. The verb "broke" is in the past tense, which is appropriate for this hypothetical scenario.Rate this question:
-
- 6.
By the time the presentation began, they _____ their discussion.
- A.
Completed
- B.
Had completed
- C.
Were completing
Correct Answer
B. Had completedExplanation
The correct answer is "had completed." This is because the use of "had" in the past perfect tense indicates that the completion of their discussion occurred before the presentation began.Rate this question:
-
- 7.
If I _____ you, I would finish my homework!
- A.
Had been
- B.
Were
- C.
would be
Correct Answer
B. WereExplanation
The correct answer is "were". This is because the sentence is in the subjunctive mood, expressing a hypothetical or unreal condition. In this case, the speaker is imagining being in the other person's position and saying that if they were in that position, they would finish their homework.Rate this question:
-
- 8.
She is very intelligent. She _____ that!
- A.
Can't have thought
- B.
Couldn't have thought
- C.
Mustn't have thought
Correct Answer
A. Can't have thoughtExplanation
The phrase "She is very intelligent" suggests that the person in question is highly intelligent. Therefore, it is unlikely that she would have thought or believed something that is incorrect or illogical. The phrase "can't have thought" implies that it is impossible for her to have had such a thought, considering her intelligence.Rate this question:
-
- 9.
When I arrived, they _____.
- A.
Stretching their legs
- B.
Were stretching their legs
- C.
Had been stretching
Correct Answer
B. Were stretching their legsExplanation
The correct answer is "were stretching their legs." This is the correct answer because it uses the past continuous tense ("were stretching") to indicate an ongoing action that was happening when the speaker arrived. The phrase "their legs" provides additional context and specifies what they were stretching.Rate this question:
-
- 10.
I lit the fire at four and it ______ brightly when Lisa arrived.
- A.
Burned
- B.
Had burned
- C.
Was burning
Correct Answer
C. Was burningExplanation
The correct answer is "was burning" because it indicates that the fire was already in progress when Lisa arrived. The past continuous tense "was burning" suggests an ongoing action in the past, which aligns with the context of the sentence.Rate this question:
-
- 11.
I was reading the letter when the wind ______ it out of my hands.
- A.
Was blowing
- B.
Blew
- C.
Had blown
Correct Answer
B. BlewExplanation
The correct answer is "blew". This is because the past tense form of the verb "blow" is used to indicate that the wind forcefully caused the letter to be taken out of the speaker's hands.Rate this question:
-
- 12.
Jack ______ the report by the time it was due.
- A.
Hadn't finished
- B.
Was finishing
- C.
Had been finishing
Correct Answer
A. Hadn't finishedExplanation
The correct answer is "hadn't finished". This is because the sentence is in the past perfect tense, indicating an action that was not completed before another past event. "Hadn't finished" suggests that Jack had not completed the report by the time it was due.Rate this question:
-
- 13.
They _____ an argument when I arrived to celebrate Pete's birthday.
- A.
Had been
- B.
Were having
- C.
Have had
Correct Answer
B. Were havingExplanation
The correct answer is "were having." This is because the sentence is in the past continuous tense, indicating an ongoing action in the past. "Were having" is the correct form of the verb "to have" in the past continuous tense. It suggests that the argument was already in progress when the speaker arrived to celebrate Pete's birthday.Rate this question:
-
- 14.
I'm not sure where Jack was yesterday. He ______ visiting Tom.
- A.
Might was
- B.
Might have been
- C.
Couldn't have been
Correct Answer
B. Might have beenExplanation
The correct answer is "might have been." This is because the sentence is referring to a possibility in the past. "Might have been" suggests that there is a chance that Jack was visiting Tom yesterday, but it is uncertain.Rate this question:
-
- 15.
If Hank _____ you were going to come, he would have made sure to be there.
- A.
Knew
- B.
had known
- C.
was knowing
Correct Answer
B. had knownExplanation
The correct answer is "had known." This is because the sentence is in the past unreal condition, indicating that Hank did not know about the speaker's arrival in the past. The past perfect tense "had known" is used to express an action that occurred before another action in the past.Rate this question:
-
- 16.
I found this gold coin while I _____ in the garden!
- A.
Dug
- B.
Had been digging
- C.
Was digging
Correct Answer
C. Was diggingExplanation
The correct answer is "was digging". This is because the sentence is in the past continuous tense, indicating an ongoing action in the past. "Was digging" accurately reflects the continuous nature of the action of digging in the garden.Rate this question:
-
- 17.
_____ the dog before they left on vacation?
- A.
Had they fed
- B.
Were they feeding
- C.
Had they been feeding
Correct Answer
A. Had they fedExplanation
The question is asking about an action that happened before the subject left on vacation. The correct answer "Had they fed" is in the past perfect tense, indicating that the action of feeding the dog had already been completed before they left.Rate this question:
-
- 18.
He said he _____ yesterday.
- A.
would come
- B.
Had been coming
- C.
Were coming
Correct Answer
A. would comeExplanation
The correct answer is "would come" because the sentence is in the past tense and the speaker is reporting someone's statement or intention from the past. "Would come" is the correct form to express a future action that was planned or intended in the past.Rate this question:
-
- 19.
He ______ get up so early when he lived in Los Angeles.
- A.
Didn't used to
- B.
Didn't use to
- C.
had used to
Correct Answer
B. Didn't use toExplanation
The correct answer is "didn't use to." This is because the phrase "didn't use to" is the correct negative form of the verb "used to" which is used to talk about past habits or states that are no longer true. In this sentence, it indicates that he did not have the habit of getting up early when he lived in Los Angeles.Rate this question:
-
Quiz Review Timeline +
Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.
-
Current Version
-
Aug 27, 2023Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Sep 11, 2009Quiz Created by
Piajamarie
Back to top