Narrative tenses

Kate said she would look after my dog, but I told her that Moira was going to do it. (AGREED)

When Kate said she would look after my dog, I told her Moira .............................................. it.

As Frank has been held up, he can’t see Paul off at the airport as originally planned. (INTENDING)

Frank ............................................ see Paul off at the airport, but he can’t as he’s been held up.

The biography was so enjoyable that Nora couldn’t put it down. (WAS)

Nora ............................................... so much that she couldn’t put it down.

What were your friends doing at the time of your interview? (INTERVIEWED)

While you ..........................................., what were your friends doing?

After months of excavations, the archaeologists uncovered the priceless artefacts. (EXCAVATING)

The archaeologists .................................................... months before they uncovered the priceless artefacts.

We sat there for a few minutes and then they arrived. (BEEN)

We .................................................... there for very long before they arrived.

After trying on five pairs of trousers, Sara found a pair that she liked. (HAD)

Sara ......................................................... five pairs of trousers before she found a pair that she liked.

The students’ union called for a change in the timetable a number of times, but by the time the courses started the university still ................................. (contact) them to talk about it.

When my mum picked me up from Nadia’s house,

we hadn’t even started our homework project. We ........................................ (make) five

cakes instead!

Jordi ............................... (persist)

with the book on medieval history despite it being

highly recommended by his teacher.