Simple, continuous or perfect – B2 English Grammar Test

1a  Match the sentence beginnings (1–6) and endings (A–F).

A   writing a graphic novel.

B   she loved to draw.

C   wanted to be a programmer.

D   all day yesterday.

E    have much time to be creative.

F    he had already started university.

1b  Write the sentence (1–6) which features each tense.

present simple: ………

past simple: ………

present continuous: ………

past continuous: ………

present perfect: …1…

past perfect: ………

2  Choose the correct option to complete the sentences.

1   Corey has preferred / prefers / is preferring to write songs with other people.

2   In her short career Lena is writing / writes / has written three hit comedy series.

3   In 2018 they publish / have published / published a new novel.

4   Before attending university, Abigail had written / writes / is writing several plays.

5   This time last year I was studying / had studied / study classical violin.

6   The sequel, made in 1986, is / was / has been shot in the Bahamas.

7   Do you like / Have you liked / Are you liking modern art?

8   Turn on your computer. They stream / have streamed / are streaming the concert right now.

3  Complete the sentences with one word.

1   At the moment I ……am…… reading a novel about the Romans.

2   Before I came to France I ………………. never been to Europe before.

3   What ………………. you studying this year?

4   I’m not going to the concert because I ………………. like that band.

5   So far my online videos ………………. had over 20 million views.

6   It was a great track, but it ………………. do very well on streaming services.

7   From 2006 to 2012, Jones ………………. working as a cameraman.

8   She has been nominated four times, but she ………………. won an Oscar yet.

4  Cross out the mistakes in the sentences. Write the correct sentences.

1   All of the cast have been at the award ceremony yesterday.

      ……All of the cast were at the award ceremony yesterday. ……

2   Unfortunately Claire don’t sell many paintings yet.

      ……………………………………………………

3   What did you doing last night?

      ……………………………………………………

4   Since Monday the theatre have announce several new performances.

      ……………………………………………………

5   Last month we have been to visit a TV studio.

      ……………………………………………………

6   At the moment I learn to play the drums.

      ……………………………………………………

7   Why did you chose to become an artist?

      ……………………………………………………

8   I recently read Percy Jackson. Before that I don’t read any fantasy novels.

      ……………………………………………………

5  Complete the sentences with the verb write in the correct tense. Use the negative if necessary.

1   I think this is the best thing I ……have written…… .

2   I …………………… my first film script when I was in high school.

3   Jared usually …………………… at his desk, in a room overlooking the river.

4   He told me that he …………………… a novel earlier that year, but had thrown it away.

5   At the moment the brothers …………………… tracks for their new album.

6   I …………………… anything yesterday. I was too tired.

7   Since she left university, she …………………… over a dozen bestsellers.

8   I’m very busy so I …………………… anything right now.

6  Complete the text with the correct tense of the verbs in the box.

Although he is only seventeen, Ross Smith 1……is…… one of the biggest names in British photography. He 2…………… taking photos on an SLR camera when he was only six years old. Incredibly, he 3…………… already over ten thousand photos. His talent was spotted on his tenth birthday. ‘I remember, I 4…………… on the train to Edinburgh and I was looking through some prints. Suddenly a lady offered £20 to buy one. Before that I 5…………… never that my photos were any good at all!’ Right now Smith 6…………… at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles.