Файл: Practice with keys.pdf

Contents

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FIRST CERTIFICATE LANGUAGE PRACTICE

VI

Explanations

The past perfect is used to make it clear that one past event happens before

another past event. We use the past perfect for the earlier event.

By the time the train arrived, Susan had managed to push her way to the front of the crowd.

It is not always necessary to use the past perfect if a time expression makes the order of events clear.

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 the past continuous first to set the scene, and then the past simple for the separate, completed actions that happen.

Susan was looking for Graham, so she didn't sit down. Instead, she tried calling him on her mobile phone.

We often contrast an action in progress with a sudden event which interrupts it.

While Susan was trying to get onto the platform, a man grabbed her handbag.

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FIRST CERTIFICATE LANGUAGE PRACTICE

•Used to

Used to is used to describe past habits or states. A time expression is not necessary.

J used to get up at six, but now I get up at eight.

I used to own a horse. (I owned a horse once.)

With negatives and questions used to becomes use to.

I didn't use to like beer.

Did you use to swim every day?

When we use used to we suggest that the action is no longer true and so make a strong contrast with the present.

• 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. It is mainly used in writing, and in personal reminiscences.

Every evening was the same. Jack would turn on the radio, light 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.

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G R A M M A R 1 PAST T I M E

Choose a suitable description for each picture.

a)When he left the house, Peter forgot that he had put his passport and wallet in his other jacket.

b)After phoning the airport, Peter packed his suitcase.

c)When he returned from Portugal in March, Peter put his passport and wallet in his jacket pocket.

d)A few days before leaving for his summer holiday, Peter phoned the airport to check his flight.

e)While Peter was packing his suitcase, he realised that he hadn't checked his flight.

f)While Peter was packing his suitcase, the phone rang.

FIRST CERTIFICATE LANGUAGE PRACTICE

2Underline the most suitable verb form in each sentence. The first one is done for you.

a)I suddenly remembered that I forgot/had forgotten my keys.

b)While Diana watched/was watching her favourite television programme, there was a power-cut.

c)Tom used to live/would live in the house at the end of the street.

d)Who was driving/drove the car at the time of the accident?

e) By the time Sheila got back, Chris went/had gone.

f)David ate/had eaten Japanese food before, so he knew what to order.

g)I did/was doing some shopping yesterday, when I saw that Dutch friend of yours.

h)I used to like/was liking sweets much more than I do now.

i)What exactly were you doing/did you do when I came into your office yesterday?

j)Laura missed the party because no-one was telling/had told her about it.

k)Tanya would/used to be a doctor.

3Put each verb in brackets into a suitable past verb form. Only use the past perfect where this is absolutely necessary.

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