Reading Present and Past Perfect

Paul Nicklen’s

Polar Obsession

For most people, the Arctic and Antarctica (to be) strange places that we know very little about. Paul Nicklen’s collection of photographs and stories, Polar Obsession, offers an excellent introduction.

Nicklen grew up on an island in Northern Canada, where he learned all about the outdoors from his Inuit neighbors. Ever since that time, he (to love) animals, cold weather, and adventure.

As a photojournalist, Nicklen (to spend) a lot of time in icy polar waters. He ____sea lions, dived with whales, and studied polar bears. One of the most exciting parts of the book covers Nicklen’s unforgettable encounter with a leopard seal in Antarctica.

As a photojournalist, Nicklen (to spend) a lot of time in icy polar waters. He (to follow) sea lions, dived with whales, and studied polar bears. One of the most exciting parts of the book covers Nicklen’s unforgettable encounter with a leopard seal in Antarctica.

Leopard seals can be dangerous, but this didn’t stop Nicklen from trying to photograph one. When a huge seal approached his boat, Nicklen got into the water. He was shaking with fear, but much to his surprise the seal treated him gently. She even tried to feed him! The seal brought him penguins to eat, and he photographed her. Nicklen says it was the most incredible experience that he (to have ever) as a photographer.

A New Generation of Superclimbers is Pushing the Limits in Yosemite

Every rock climber who (come) to Yosemite has a dream. Alex Honnold’s dream was to free solo Half Dome, a 2130-foot (649-meter) wall of granite. Free soloing means climbing with only rock shoes and some chalk to help keep the hands dry. Honnold couldn’t use a rope or anything else to help him stick to the slippery stone. The few people who ___ Half Dome before ____ ropes, and it had taken them more than a day to do the climb.

• had come

• has come

• came

• come

A New Generation of Superclimbers is Pushing the Limits in Yosemite

Every rock climber who (to come) to Yosemite has a dream. Alex Honnold’s dream was to free solo Half Dome, a 2130-foot (649-meter) wall of granite. Free soloing means climbing with only rock shoes and some chalk to help keep the hands dry. Honnold couldn’t use a rope or anything else to help him stick to the slippery stone. The few people who (to climb) Half Dome before ____ ropes, and it had taken them more than a day to do the climb.

• Climbing

• have climbed

• climb

• had climbed

Every rock climber who (to come) to Yosemite has a dream. Alex Honnold’s dream was to free solo Half Dome, a 2130-foot (649-meter) wall of granite. Free soloing means climbing with only rock shoes and some chalk to help keep the hands dry. Honnold couldn’t use a rope or anything else to help him stick to the slippery stone. The few people who (to climb) Half Dome before (to use) ropes, and it had taken them more than a day to do the climb.

On a bright September morning, Honnold was clinging to the face of Half Dome, less than 100 feet (30 meters) from the top. He had been climbing for two hours and forty-five minutes, but all of a sudden he stopped. Something potentially disastrous (to occur)—he ___ some of his confidence. He ____ that way two days before when he’d been racing up the same rock with a rope. That climb _____ well. Today though, Honnold hesitated. He knew that even the slightest doubt could cause a deadly fall, thousands of feet to the valley floor below. He knew he had to get moving, so he chalked his hands, adjusted his feet, and started climbing again. Within minutes, he was at the top.

• occurs

• ocurred

• had occurred

• has occured

On a bright September morning, Honnold was clinging to the face of Half Dome, less than 100 feet (30 meters) from the top. He had been climbing for two hours and forty-five minutes, but all of a sudden he stopped. Something potentially disastrous (to occur)—he (to loose) some of his confidence. He ____ that way two days before when he’d been racing up the same rock with a rope. That climb _____ well. Today though, Honnold hesitated. He knew that even the slightest doubt could cause a deadly fall, thousands of feet to the valley floor below. He knew he had to get moving, so he chalked his hands, adjusted his feet, and started climbing again. Within minutes, he was at the top.