B2 present and past tenses review

When the storm began we ____ (sail) far from the coast.

• sailed

• were sailing

• had sailed

• had been sailing

Answer explanation

the short action: storm began interrupted the long action: we were sailing - Past Continuous for the longer action

I'm trying to be a maid, so I need to ____ a lot of time in someone's house.

• is used to spending

• used to spend

• get used to spending

• get used to spend

Answer explanation

I need to develop this habit: get used to doing something

The world ____, children don't play hide and seek, catch-up but spend all their free time in front of screens.

• changes

• has changing

• is changing

• is change

Answer explanation

to show change and development we use the Present Continuous

Oh dear! She ___ moaning! I can't take it anymore!!

• always moans

• is always moaning

• was always moaning

• always moaned

Answer explanation

from the context we can see that the situation is annoying and happening at present - Present Continuous for annoying habit at present

- Why are you covered in paint?

- I ____ the room.

- Do you like it?

• paint

• have been painting

• had been painting

• have painted

Answer explanation

recent long action with a present result - side effect - Present Perfect Continuous

Melanie ___ the essay before the light went off.

• finished

• has finished

• is finishing

• had finished

Answer explanation

the action that was completed before another past action - Past Perfect

We ______ sleepovers with my best friends every Saturday when we were at school.

• used to have

• would have

• are used to having

• get used to having

Answer explanation

repeated action in the past; have is a state verb - only used to have is pssible

Students ____ for the teacher for half an hour when the leader found out the the teacher was in the traffic jam.

• had been waiting

• have been waiting

• were waiting

• had waited

Answer explanation

the situation that started and was happening over a period of time before another past situation - Past Perfect Continuous

It's not a problem to wake up early. I ___ it.

• used to

• would

• get used to

• am used to

Answer explanation

the fact of having a habit - be used to sth

My grandparents ____ married for over 50 years.

• are

• were

• have

• have been

Answer explanation

be married - collocation; be is a state verb; states that started in the past and are true at present - Present Perfect