Present perfect and past simple; How long? And for/since – B1 English Grammar Test

1  Decide if the sentences use the past simple (PS) or present perfect (PP). Circle the time phrases in the past simple sentences.

1   I’ve never eaten crocodile meat.   …PP…

2   Dad’s ordered a takeaway for dinner.   ……..

3   I once tried snails on holiday in France.   ……..

4   Last weekend, I ate popcorn at the cinema.   ……..

5   Has he ever tasted oysters?   ……..

6   I had the best ice cream when I went to Italy a few years ago.   ……..

2  Decide if the verbs in bold should be in the past simple (PS) or the present perfect (PP). Then write the correct form of the verbs.

1   We go to a restaurant for my birthday.

      …PS…   ……went……

2   He look so upset when he failed the exam.

      ……   …………………..

3   I finish my dessert. Can I have some more?

      ……   …………………..

4   Luke cook dinner for the whole family. I can’t wait to taste his curry.

      ……   …………………..

5   The cake that Becky make at school taste so good.

      ……   …………………..

6   I go to Asia several times in the last few years.

      ……   ………………….. 

3  Underline and correct the mistake in each sentence.

1   Yesterday I have bought some tasty cherries at the market.   ……bought……

2   We’re worried because my brother doesn’t write an email to us since he arrived at summer camp.   …………………

3   Mum was so surprised when she opened the letter that said, ‘You won a family holiday to Spain’.   …………………

4   Recently I have seen a really interesting documentary about Mexican food.   …………………

5   Let’s buy some of this smelly durian fruit because I didn’t tried it before.   …………………

6   He has to go to the hospital because he cut his finger. He was chopping onions!   …………………

4  Complete the table with the time phrases.

5  Complete the responses with for or since. Then write questions with How long …?

1   ……How long have you lived in this town?……

      I’ve lived in this town ……since…… I was born.

2    ………………………………………………….

      She’s been at this school ………………… two years.

3    ………………………………………………….

      They’ve known Carly ………………… she moved here.

4    ………………………………………………….

      He’s had his leg in plaster ………………… three weeks.

5    ………………………………………………….

      I’ve been a group leader at scouts ………………… a while.

6  Complete the texts with for or since and the past simple or present perfect of the verbs in the box.

I 1……’ve been…… a vegetarian 2………………. I 3………………. 12 years old. I 4………………. to become a ‘veggie’ because I just 5………………. the taste of meat.

Lara

I 6……………… an interest in food 7………………. many years, and in sweet food in particular. I 8………………. cooking with my mum when I 9………………. about six, and together we 10………………. so many delicious cakes over the years.

Gino

My brother Alfie 11………………. cooking meals for our family 12………………. a long time now. His dream is to be a chef. He 13………………. at a local restaurant 14………………. May, and he loves it there! Just last week, the head chef 15………………. Alfie has lots of talent, and he 16………………. a letter to the Cooking Academy to recommend Alfie for an award.

Kelly