Past Perfect and Past Continuous

Liam and Noel _____________ (hike) near a volcano when it started to snow. They arrived at base camp two hours late.

• had been hiking

• were hiking

Answer explanation

Always check the context when in doubt.

The snow affected Liam and Noel's hike directly. Interruption = Past Continuous.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1B

CCSS.L.5.1.B-D

CCSS.L.5.1C

CCSS.L.5.1D

CCSS.L.3.1D

Tris ___________ (study) all night, so they __________ (be) well-prepared for the test.

• was studying / were

• had been studying / had been

• had been studying / were

• was studying / were being

Answer explanation

Cause and Effect = Past Perfect Continuous.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1B

CCSS.L.5.1.B-D

CCSS.L.5.1C

CCSS.L.5.1D

CCSS.L.5.1B

Matt ________ (promise) to take Clarissa to the movies the entire week.

• had been promising

• had promised

Answer explanation

Gotcha! Although the importance here is in the extension of time, Stative Verbs rules overrule everything else.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1B

CCSS.L.5.1.B-D

CCSS.L.5.1C

CCSS.L.5.1D

CCSS.L.5.1B

Bayley _________ (read) 4 chapters of the book by 8 o'clock.

• had read

• had been reading

Answer explanation

Unfinished vs. Finished. Always remember.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1B

CCSS.L.5.1.B-D

CCSS.L.5.1C

CCSS.L.5.1D

CCSS.L.5.1B

Bonnie __________ (take) pictures of her cat when she saw a ghostly figure.

• was taking

• had been taking

Answer explanation

One long action is interrupted by a short action. Has anyone seen Bonnie today, though?

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1B

CCSS.L.5.1.B-D

CCSS.L.5.1C

CCSS.L.5.1D

CCSS.L.5.1B

The moment the food arrived, they _______ (get ready) to leave.

• were getting ready

• had been getting ready

Answer explanation

Thank God the food arrived! The focus is on action and not everything preceding it. Past Continuous.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1B

CCSS.L.5.1.B-D

CCSS.L.5.1C

CCSS.L.5.1D

CCSS.L.5.1B

When we arrived at the restaurant, the buffet _____________________ already.

• had started

• started

• had been starting

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1B

CCSS.L.5.1.B-D

CCSS.L.5.1C

CCSS.L.5.1D

CCSS.L.5.1B

Mary ________ sad because I _________________ her birthday.

• was...have forgotten

• had been...forgot

• was...had forgotten

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1B

CCSS.L.5.1.B-D

CCSS.L.5.1C

CCSS.L.5.1D

CCSS.L.5.1B

I __________ borrow the book from Tim because I ___________ it already.

• didn't....had read

• was not...had read

• didn't...read

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1B

CCSS.L.5.1.B-D

CCSS.L.5.1C

CCSS.L.5.1D

CCSS.L.5.1B

Your sister ______________ online games all afternoon yesterday. This was why she didn't finish her homework.

• has been playing

• had played

• had been playing

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1B

CCSS.L.5.1.B-D

CCSS.L.5.1C

CCSS.L.5.1D

CCSS.L.5.1B