Grammar Test B1 (Verb Tenses): Comparing Simple Past Tense and Present Perfect Tense

2025 Series: Test 3
For the complete lesson, click this.

Instruction: Choose the correct verb form for each sentence.

1. I ____  my bedroom last weekend.
a) painted
b) have painted 

2. She ____ a mountain before.
a) didn’t climb
b) has never climbed 

3. They ____  the garage yesterday.
a) cleaned
b) have cleaned 

4. We ____  puzzles many times together.
a) solved
b) have solved 

5. He ____  a big fish last summer.
a) caught
b) has caught 

6. I ____ the windows earlier today.
a) washed
b) have washed 

7. She ____  English since 2012.
a) taught
b) has taught 

8. They ____ an old coin in the garden.
a) found
b) have found 

9. We ____ our group project. We are ready to launch it.
a) just completed
b) have just completed 

10. He ____ my pen five minutes ago.
a) borrowed
b) has borrowed 

11. I ____ this song since childhood.
a) knew
b) have known 

12. She ____ that song on the radio yesterday.
a) heard
b) has heard 

13. They ____ to that museum twice.
a) went
b) have been 

14. We ____ this topic last night.
a) discussed
b) have discussed 

15. He ____ his old car recently so he takes the bus temporarily.
a) sold
b) has sold 

16. I ____ a fox near the forest last week.
a) saw
b) have seen 

17. She ____ three letters so far today.
a) wrote
b) has written 

18. They ____ early to the meeting yesterday.
a) arrived
b) have arrived 

19. We ____ about this issue before.
a) already talked
b) have already talked 

20. He ____ his phone yesterday.
a) lost
b) has lost

ANSWER KEY AND EXPLANATIONS

1. a – “last weekend” – finished past time – simple past
2. b – “never” in life experience – present perfect
3. a – “yesterday” – finished past time – simple past
4. b – “many times” as life experience – present perfect
5. a – “last summer” – finished past time – simple past
6. a – “earlier today” (completed part of day) – simple past
7. b – “since 2012” – continuing to now – present perfect
8. a – no link to present, completed action – simple past
9. b – “just” – recent action connected to now – present perfect
10. a – “five minutes ago” – finished past time – simple past
11. b – “since childhood” – continuing – present perfect
12. a – “yesterday” – finished past time – simple past
13. b – “twice” as experience – present perfect
14. a – “last night” – finished past time – simple past
15. b – “recently” – present result – present perfect
16. a – “last week” – finished past time – simple past
17. b – “today” still ongoing – present perfect
18. a – “yesterday” – finished past time – simple past
19. b – “before” – prior experience – present perfect
20. a – “yesterday” – finished past time – simple past