Past perfect

Choose the correct answer:

By the time the bus arrived at the bus stop, I hadn't left home yet.

• The person missed the bus.

• The person took the bus.

• The person arrived at the bus stop before the bus.

Answer explanation

The person missed the bus because the bus arrived at the bus stop before he/she left home.

Choose the correct answer:

If I ____ the alarm clock, I would be late now. (not/set up)

• hadn't set up

• didn't set up

• had set up

Answer explanation

The person set up the alarm clock, but he/she is imagining an alternative reality - a hipothetical situation in the past.

Choose the correct answer:

Before the guests arrived, I ____ already ____ all the food for our dinner party. (cook)

• had /cooked

• cooked

• was / cooking

Answer explanation

This sentence means that first the food was cooked and then the guests arrived.

Choose the correct answer:

He realized he _____ his keys at home when he reached the office. (leave)

• had left

• left

• have left

Answer explanation

First he left the keys at home.

Then, he realized it after getting at the office.

Choose the correct answer:

After they ____ their homework, the students gathered in the library for a study group session. (finish)

• had finished

• were finishing

• have finished

Answer explanation

First they finished their homework.

Then, they gathered in the library.

Choose the correct answer:
____ they ____ each other before the school reunion?

• Had / met

• Have / met

• Had / meet

Answer explanation

The question is about an event prior to the reunion. And both are in the past.

Choose the correct answer:
She ____ that museum before yesterday. (visited)

• hadn't visited

• didn't visit

• hasn't visited

Answer explanation

She visited the museum yesterday. The question is about an action done before that. Note: There's no difference in the verb form for he, she, it in the past perfect.

Choose the correct answer:

The team ____ the new strategy until last week. (practice)

• hadn't practiced

• didn't practice

• hasn't practiced

Answer explanation

The team practiced last week, but not before that.

Choose the correct answer:
____ he ____ reading the book before the book club meeting? (finish)

• Had / finished

• Has / he finished

• Was / finished

Answer explanation

He had a book club meeting (in the past). The question is about something before that moment.

Choose the correct answer:

____ they ____ the mistake before submitting the report? (not / realize)

• Hadn't / realized

• Had they realized

• Hasn't / realized

Answer explanation

The negative interrogative is made with "hadn't" at the beginning of the question and the main verb in the past participle as usual. This question is usually used when checking information.