Sentence Completion Exercise
Fill in the blanks with an appropriate verb form.
1. There ………………………….. a famine in Bengal in 1943.
was
were
had been
We use the simple past to talk about finished actions and situations.
2. Gandhi …………………………… in the principle of non-violence.
believed
has believed
believes
3. They have not …………………………. yet.
arrive
arriving
arrived
We use a past participle form after has, have and had.
4. She ………………………… not want to quit her job.
has
do
does
We make questions and negatives in the simple present tense with do and does. We use does
with singular nouns and pronouns.
5. The ozone layer ……………………………… us from harmful ultraviolet
radiations.
protect
protects
is protecting
We use the simple present to talk about facts.
6. She ……………………………… her studies before she went abroad.
completed
has completed
had completed
We use the past perfect for the earlier of two past actions.
7. I …………………………….. him on several occasions before he went to
America.
met
have met
had met
We use the past perfect for the earlier of two past actions or situations.
8. Jenny …………………………….. alone in her apartment.
live
lives
is living
We use the simple present to talk about facts.
9. When I was young, I …………………………… every day.
worked out
was working out
had worked out
We use the simple past to talk about past habits.
10. We ……………………………. for Malaysia tonight.
leave
will leave
are leaving
We use the present continuous to talk about pre-planned future events.
11. Barking dogs seldom …………………………….
bite
will bite
would bite
12. Did you ………………………………. him yesterday?
see
saw
seen
We use the first form of the verb after do, does and did.
PLAY AGAIN !
Answers
1. There was a famine in Bengal in 1943.
2. Gandhi believed in the principle of non-violence.
3. They have not arrived yet.
4. She does not want to quit her job.
5. The ozone layer protects us from harmful ultraviolet radiations.
6. She had completed her studies before she went abroad.
7. I had met him on several occasions before he went to America.
8. Jenny lives alone in her apartment.
9. When I was young, I worked out every day.
10. We are leaving for Malaysia tonight.
11. Barking dogs seldom bite.
12. Did you see him yesterday?