EXERCISE - PAST vs. PRESENT PERFECT

 

 

Conjugate the verb in parentheses in the correct tense (past or present perfect).  Use present perfect whenever possible.  Watch your spelling, and be careful to use the correct negative or interrogative forms where required.  DO NOT USE THE PRESENT OR THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS.

 

 

1.

There                      less fatal accidents since the government reduced the speed limit to 100 km­/hr.

(be)

2.

The first life on this planet                     about 3.5 billion years ago.

(appear)

3.

Life on this planet                     for about 3.5 billion years.

(evolve)

4.

John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937)                    his fortune in the oil business.

(make)

5.

Bill Gates, the largest shareholder of Microsoft,

                        the largest fortune in the world.

 

(amass)

6.

Russia                       a severe financial crisis in the last three years.

(suffer)

7.

In 1994, the Mexican peso                        to almost half its value.

(fall)

8.

The gap between the rich and the poor in the United States                      continuously since the 195­0's.

 

(increase)

9.

Celine Dion                      at the Molson Center four times.

(sing)

10.

Hurry up!  The game                      .

(just begin)

11.

There                      over 100 traffic deaths in Quebec this year.

(already be)

12.

This morning, Canada's minister of health                        the complete legalization of mari­juana.

(announce)

13.

On Parliament Hill, a large group of hippies                           to celebrate and to offer the minister a toke of gratitude.

(already gather)

14.

Two days ago, a serial murderer                  from a high security penitentiary.

(escape)

15.

In spite of a massive manhunt, the police                        the escaped prisoner yet.

(not find)

NoNonsense English
© Copyright 2001 by Eric Squire