Exercises of Tenses | Tenses Exercises with Answers

by | Jan 18, 2024 | General | 0 comments

 

Exercises of Tenses

 

English Grammar  – Tenses Exercises with Answers

 

Exercises on Tenses – Tenses play a crucial role in the structure of language, serving as a linguistic tool that allows speakers and writers to convey the timing of actions, events, or states. They indicate whether an action is happening in the past, present, or future, enabling effective communication by providing a temporal framework for the information being shared. The careful use of tenses enhances clarity and precision in expressing ideas, allowing individuals to navigate through time within the confines of a sentence or a narrative. Engaging in exercises focused on tenses is an essential aspect of language learning and proficiency. These exercises on Tenses serve as practical tools to reinforce the understanding of how time is expressed in language, enabling learners to navigate the intricate nuances of past, present, and future tenses. By practicing Exercises on Tenses, individuals not only solidify their grasp of grammatical rules but also enhance their ability to communicate with precision and clarity. Through a variety of activities such as sentence construction, verb conjugation, and contextual usage, learners develop a practical command of tenses, ultimately empowering them to convey ideas accurately in diverse communicative contexts. 

What are Tenses?

Imagine language as a time machine, whisking you across moments- past, present, and future. The controls? Verbs, dressed in different outfits called tenses that determine when the action unfolds.

 

Here is an example-

 

Past
Present
Future
I studied English yesterday.
I am studying English.
I will study English tomorrow.

 

Let us get a better grasp at these types of Tenses

 

Types of Tenses

English has 12 tenses which are divided into three main tenses: present, past, and future. Each tense can be expressed in four different aspects: simple, continuous, perfect, and perfect continuous. This gives us a total of twelve verb tenses in English. All tenses have different forms for affirmative, negative and interrogative statements.

Here are the 12 tenses in English grammar with examples:

  1. Simple Present Tense: used to describe habits, general truths, and everyday activities.

Example:

 

  • Affirmative: I play soccer every Saturday.
  • Negative: I do not play soccer on any day other than Saturday.
  • Interrogative: Do I play soccer every day of the week?

 

  1. Present Continuous Tense: used to describe an ongoing action in the present.

Example:

 

  • Affirmative: I am playing soccer right now.
  • Negative: I am not playing soccer right now.
  • Interrogative: Am I playing soccer right now?

 

  1. Present Perfect Tense: used to express that an action happened at an unspecified time before now. The exact time is not important.

Example:

 

  • Affirmative: I have played soccer.
  • Negative: I have not played soccer.
  • Interrogative: Have I played soccer?

 

  1. Present Perfect Continuous Tense: used to describe an ongoing action that started in the past and continues up to the present.

Example:

 

  • Affirmative: I have been playing soccer for an hour.
  • Negative: I haven’t been playing soccer for an hour.
  • Interrogative: Have I been playing soccer for an hour?

 

  1. Simple Past Tense: used to describe a completed action in the past.

Example:

 

  • Affirmative: I played soccer yesterday.
  • Negative: I did not play soccer yesterday.
  • Interrogative: Did I play soccer yesterday?

 

  1. Past Continuous Tense: used to describe an ongoing action in the past.

Example:

 

  • Affirmative: I was playing soccer when she called.
  • Negative: I was not playing soccer when she called.
  • Interrogative: Was I playing soccer when she called.

 

  1. Past Perfect Tense: used to describe a completed action before another action in the past.

Example:

 

  • Affirmative: I had played soccer before I went to the party.
  • Negative: I had not played soccer before I went to the party.
  • Interrogative: Had I played soccer before I went to the party?

 

  1. Past Perfect Continuous Tense: used to describe an ongoing action that continued up until a point in the past.

Example:

 

  • Affirmative: I had been playing soccer for two hours before the game ended.
  • Negative: I had not been playing soccer for two hours before the game ended.
  • Interrogative: Had I been playing soccer for two hours before the game ended?

 

  1. Simple Future Tense: used to describe a future action or event.

Example:

 

  • Affirmative: I will play soccer tomorrow.
  • Negative: I will not play soccer tomorrow.
  • Interrogative: Will I play soccer tomorrow?

 

  1. Future Continuous Tense: used to describe an ongoing action in the future.

Example:

 

  • Affirmative: I will be playing soccer at this time tomorrow.
  • Negative: I will not be playing soccer at this time tomorrow.
  • Interrogative: Will I be playing soccer at this time tomorrow?

 

  1. Future Perfect Tense: used to describe a future action that will be completed at a specific time.

Example:

 

  • Affirmative: By next year, I will have played soccer for ten years.
  • Negative: By next year, I will not have played soccer for ten years.
  • Interrogative: Will I have played soccer for ten years by next year?

 

  1. Future Perfect Continuous Tense: used to describe an ongoing action that will continue up until a specific time in the future.

Example:

 

  • Affirmative: By the end of the day, I will have been playing soccer for six hours.
  • Negative: By the end of the day, I will not have been playing soccer for six hours.
  • Interrogative: Will I have been playing soccer for six hours by the end of the day?

 

Here’s a table summarizing the types of tenses:

 

Tense Aspect Description Example
Present Simple Habitual actions or general truths I eat breakfast every morning.
Continuous Actions happening now or around now I am eating breakfast right now.
Perfect Actions completed before now but with a connection to the present I have eaten breakfast.
Perfect Continuous Actions that began in the past and continue up to the present or a specific point in the past I have been eating breakfast for an hour.
Past Simple Completed actions at a specific time in the past I ate breakfast yesterday.
Continuous Actions in progress at a specific time in the past I was eating breakfast when the phone rang.
Perfect Actions completed before another past action I had eaten breakfast before I left for work.
Perfect

Continuous

 Actions that began in the past and continued up to another past action I had been eating breakfast for an hour before the meeting started.
Future Simple Actions that will happen in the future I will eat breakfast tomorrow.
Continuous Actions that will be in progress at a specific time in the future I will be eating breakfast at 8:00 am tomorrow.
Perfect Actions that will be completed before another future action I will have eaten breakfast before I go to the gym.
Perfect Continuous Actions that will begin in the future and continue up to another future action I will have been eating breakfast for an hour by the time you arrive.

 

Tenses Exercise Set 1: Identifying Tenses:

a. Identify the correct tense.

 

  1. The train had already departed before I reached the station. 

Ans- Simple Past Tense

 

  1. While they were watching the movie, the power went out.

Ans- Past Continuous Tense

 

  1. By the time she arrives, the meeting will have already started. 

Ans- Present Simple Tense

 

  1. He has been working on that project for months now. 

Ans- Present Perfect Continuous Tense

 

  1. If I had known you were coming, I would have baked a cake. 

Ans- Past Perfect Tense

 

  1. They used to live in a small village near the mountains. 

Ans- Simple Past Tense

 

  1. She is always complaining about something. 

Ans- Present Continuous Tense

 

  1. I will be studying French in Paris next summer. 

Ans- Future Continuous Tense

 

  1. He had never seen such a beautiful sunset before. 

Ans- Past Perfect Tense

 

  1. As soon as it stops raining, we can go for a walk.  

Ans- Present Continuous Tense

 

  1. When I was a child, I dreamed of becoming an astronaut. 

Ans- Simple Past Tense

 

  1. I am looking forward to the weekend because I need a break from work. 

Ans- Present Continuous Tense

 

  1. She has been working on this project for three months, and she will finally finish it next week. 

Ans- Present Perfect Continuous Tense

 

  1. I haven’t seen my best friend in years, but we are planning to meet up next month. 

Ans- Present Continuous Tense

 

  1. While I was cooking dinner, my phone rang, and it was my boss with an urgent task.

Ans- Simple Past Tense

b. Identifying the tense of underlined verbs in given paragraphs.

 

  1. Rain, a spectral dancer, had pirouetted (A) on rooftops all morning, drumming silver rhythms on tin and slate. It was whispering (B) secrets to parched leaves, painting emerald tears on their cheeks. Wind, a mischievous jester, had been chasing (C) the clouds across the sky, their ink-smudged bellies spilling fat drops that splattered (D) like applause on thirsty streets. Puddles, newborn mirrors, reflected the sun’s last rays, a fleeting memory of warmth before twilight’s cloak descended. Now, rain’s hushed lullaby fell on a hushed land, each whisper a benediction, an echo of life renewed, a promise whispered for a bright and clean tomorrow.

Ans- 

  1. had pirouetted – Past Perfect 
  2. was whispering – Past Continuous
  3. had been chasing – Past Perfect Continuous
  4. splattered – Past Simple

 

  1. Sunlight is etching (A)  intricate patterns onto the dusty floorboards for hours, testament to the sun’s tireless march across the sky. A cup of tea has steamed (B) gently, its fragrant tendrils curling toward the open window where birds chirp an endless melody. Time stretches (C) languidly, punctuated only by the grandfather clock’s rhythmic tick-tock, each beat a reminder of the present moment. I sink deeper into the worn armchair, letting the warmth and serenity engulf me, content to simply be here, now. This quiet haven has been cradling me all afternoon, and I haven’t been noticing the sun’s golden fingers as they begin to paint the edges of the room in farewell.

Ans- 

  1. is etching – Present Continuous
  2. has steamed – Present Perfect
  3. stretches – Present Simple
  4. haven’t been noticing – Present Perfect Continuous

 

  1. Screens will have bloomed (A) vibrant galaxies swirling in living rooms, while holograms, freed from their projectors, will be dancing (B) around us, stories spun from light. AI companions, woven into the fabric of our lives, will have nurtured our dreams, their whispers of wisdom from a million minds. Cities, sculpted by nanobots, will shimmer (C) like living creatures, arteries pulsing with data instead of blood. And we, bathed in the glow of this techno-renaissance, will have become more than human, our minds will have been working (D) in a symphony of thought, forever changed by the future we built.

Ans-

  1. will have bloomed  – Future Perfect
  2. will be dancing – Future Continuous
  3. will shimmer – Future Simple
  4. will have been working – Future Perfect Continuous

 

Exercise Set 2: Forming Tenses:

a. Constructing sentences using a given verb in different tenses- Use the given tense to form sentences in different tenses

  1. Jump

 
Past
Present
Future
Simple
The child jumped into the pool last summer.
The child jumps into the pool.
The child will jump into the pool tomorrow.
Continuous
The child was jumping in the pool all afternoon, refusing to come out.
The child is jumping into the pool repeatedly, giggling with delight.
The child will be jumping into the pool for the swim team practice tomorrow.
Perfect
By the time the judge blew the whistle, the child had already jumped into the pool.
The child has jumped into the pool countless times this summer.
By next year, the child will have jumped into the pool several times.
Perfect Continuous
The child had been jumping and splashing for hours before finally getting tired.
The child has been jumping into the pool all day, barely taking a break for meals.
The child will have been jumping in and out of the pool for hours by the time his parents are back.

 

  1. Eat

 
Past
Present
Future
Simple
I ate a healthy breakfast yesterday.
I eat a healthy breakfast every morning.
I will eat a healthy breakfast tomorrow.
Continuous
I was eating a healthy breakfast.
I am eating a healthy breakfast.
I will be eating a healthy breakfast tomorrow.
Perfect
I had eaten a healthy breakfast.
I have eaten a healthy breakfast. 
I will have eaten a healthy breakfast.
Perfect Continuous
I had been eating a healthy breakfast.
I have been eating a healthy breakfast. 
I will have been eating a healthy breakfast by this time tomorrow.

 

  1. Speak

 
Past
Present
Future
Simple
I always spoke the truth, even when it was difficult. 
I always speak the truth.
I will always speak the truth, no matter what the cost.
Continuous
I was speaking the truth constantly, even when others wouldn’t listen. 
I am speaking the truth. 
I will be speaking the truth continuously, fighting for what’s right.
Perfect
I had spoken the truth before anyone asked, always staying true to myself.
I have spoken the truth countless times.
I will have spoken the truth by the time all is said and done, leaving no room for doubt.
Perfect Continuous
I had been speaking the truth for years.
I have been speaking the truth for as long as I can remember.
I will have been speaking the truth unwaveringly for my entire life, a beacon of honesty in a world of illusion.

 

  1. Go

 
Past
Present
Future
Simple
We went to the zoo yesterday.
We go to the zoo every weekend.
We will go to the zoo next weekend.
Continuous
We were going to the zoo when it started raining.
We are going to the zoo right now.
We will be going to the zoo at noon tomorrow.
Perfect
We had gone to the zoo.
We have gone to the zoo.
By next year, we will have gone to the zoo.
Perfect Continuous
We had been going to the zoo for three years now.
We have been going to the zoo since we moved to this city.
We will have been going to the zoo every month for a whole year.

 

  1. Drive

 
Past
Present
Future
Simple
I drove a car to the store yesterday.
I drive a car to work every day.
I will drive a car to the beach this weekend.
Continuous
I was driving a car when you called.
I am driving a car right now.
I will be driving a car all afternoon, running errands.
Perfect
I had driven to the airport before my flight got cancelled.
I have driven a car for over ten years.
I will have driven across the country by the end of the summer.
Perfect Continuous
I had been driving for days before reaching my destination.
I have been driving a car for hours.
I will have been driving a car for a year by next month.

 

b. Transforming sentences from one tense to another.

 

Change the following sentences from present tense to past tense.

 

  1. The birds sing a melodious tune.

Ans- The birds sang a melodious tune.

 

  1. I bake a delicious cake for my birthday.

Ans- I baked a delicious cake for my birthday.

 

  1. We travel to Italy for the summer holidays.

Ans- We traveled to Italy for the summer holidays.

 

  1. The artist paints a vibrant landscape.

Ans- The artist painted a vibrant landscape.

 

  1. Birds sing sweetly in the trees.

Ans- Birds sang sweetly in the trees.

 

  1. The aroma of freshly baked cookies fills the kitchen.

Ans- The aroma of freshly baked cookies filled the kitchen.

 

Convert the following to future tense.

 

  1. The rain falls heavily on the windows.

Ans-  The rain will fall heavily on the windows.

 

  1. She reads an exciting novel in the library.

Ans- She will read an exciting novel in the library.

 

  1. You prepare a presentation for your class.

Ans- You will prepare a presentation for your class.

 

  1. Stars sparkle like diamonds scattered across the night sky.

Ans- Stars will sparkle like diamonds scattered across the night sky.

 

  1. A gentle breeze rustles the leaves through the window.

Ans- A gentle breeze will rustle the leaves through the window.

 

Change the following to present perfect continuous.

 

  1. She has written five books.

Ans- She has been writing five books

 

  1. They have danced for over a decade.

Ans- They have been dancing for over a decade.

 

  1. My neighbour’s dog barks incessantly. 

My neighbour’s dog has been barking incessantly.

 

Convert these sentences to future perfect continuous tense.

 

  1. The sun shines warmly on the beach.

Ans- The sun will have been shining warmly on the beach.

 

  1. Children build sandcastles by the water.

Ans- Children will have been building sandcastles by the water.

 

  1. The coffee pot is brewing for an hour.

Ans- The coffee pot will have been brewing for an hour.

 

  1. I am watching a movie.

Ans- I will have been watching a movie.

 

Transform the sentence into past perfect continuous tense.

 

  1. I was walking to school.

Ans- I had been walking to school.

 

  1. He played football for ten years.

Ans- He had been playing football for ten years.

 

  1. He will practice his speech for 4 hours.

Ans- He had been practicing his speech for the last 4 hours.

 

Transform the sentences to past continuous tense

 

  1. The dog playfully chased butterflies in the park.

Ans- The dog was playfully chasing butterflies in the park.

 

  1. The teacher patiently explained the maths problem to the class.

Ans- The teacher was patiently explaining the maths problem to the class.

 

Transform the sentences to future continuous tense

 

  1. The artist will sketch the bustling market scene, capture the vibrant colours and lively energy.

Ans- The artist will be sketching the bustling market scene, capturing the vibrant colours and lively energy.

 

  1. We will roast marshmallows over the campfire, laugh and tell stories.

Ans- We will be roasting marshmallows over the campfire, laughing and telling stories.

 

Transform the sentence to future perfect tense

 

  1. You will already master the basics of coding by the time we take our final exam.

Ans- You will have already mastered the basics of coding by the time we take our final exam.

 

  1. When you wake up, the sun will already paint the sky with beautiful colours.

Ans- When you wake up, the sun will have already painted the sky with beautiful colours.

 

Transform the sentence to present perfect tense

 

  1. I finish my breakfast.

Ans- I have finished my breakfast.

 

  1. I decorate the Christmas tree.

Ans- I have decorated the Christmas tree.

 

Transform the sentence to past perfect tense

 

  1. They played in the park for hours when it started to rain.

Ans- They had been playing in the park for hours when it started to rain.

 

Common Challenges and Pitfalls:

a. Addressing common mistakes in the use of tenses.

Avoid switching tenses within a sentence or paragraph unless there’s a clear change in time or perspective. Some common mistakes in the use of tenses are listed below-

 

  1. Present Perfect Tense

 

Present perfect marks an action completed at any point before now, with no specific timeframe. Present perfect continuous emphasizes the duration of that action and its current relevance:

 

  • Use “have” or “has” followed by the past participle: “I have seen that movie.”
  • Don’t use it for ongoing actions! “She has been working on that project since yesterday,” not “She has worked on that project since yesterday.”

 

  1. Future Tense

Remember that the future tense shows an action that will happen, while the future continuous shows an ongoing action at a specific future time:

 

  • Use “will” or “shall” followed by the base verb: “I will visit Hawaii next year.”
  • Future continuous uses “will be” followed by the present participle: “She will be studying for her exams tomorrow afternoon.”

 

  1. Past Perfect Tense

The past perfect tense can be tricky, but it simply shows an action completed before another past event. Remember:

 

  • Use “had” followed by the past participle: “I had eaten my lunch before the meeting started.”
  • Don’t confuse it with the simple past! “They had a party yesterday,” not “They have a party yesterday.”

b. Understanding the nuances between similar tenses.

 

Navigating the world of tenses can sometimes leave you in confusion. Fear not, grammar explorers! This guide will help you climb the tense tree with confidence, highlighting the nuanced differences between similar tenses. 

Present vs. Present Continuous:

 

Think of the present tense as a snapshot. It captures an action happening right now: “I eat an apple.”

 

But sometimes, actions stretch across time, unfolding continuously. That’s where the present continuous comes in, painting a scene in progress: “I am eating an apple, savouring each juicy bite.”

 

Past vs. Past Perfect:

 

Imagine a timeline. The past tense marks a completed event on that line: “I ate an apple earlier.”

 

But what if you want to show that one past event happened before another? Use the past perfect, placing emphasis on the order of events: “I had eaten an apple before my friend arrived.”

 

Future vs. Future Continuous:

 

Looking ahead, the future tense throws a dart on the timeline: “I will eat an apple tomorrow.”

 

But if you want to peek into the ongoing flow of future events, use the future continuous tense: “I will be eating an apple at noon, enjoying the sunshine.”

 

Present Perfect vs. Present Perfect Continuous:

 

These two can be tricky! The present perfect simply shows an action completed at some point before now, with no specific timeframe: “I have eaten many apples throughout my life.”

 

However, the present perfect continuous emphasises the duration of that action, highlighting its ongoing impact: “I have been eating more apples lately, trying out new varieties.”

 

Bonus Tip-

Here are some handy mnemonics to remember the key differences:

 

  • Present vs. Present Continuous: “Think snap for present, stretching for continuous.”
  • Past vs. Past Perfect: “Past is a point, past perfect is a line connecting points.”
  • Future vs. Future Continuous: “Future is a target, future continuous is the arrow in flight.”

 

 

Tenses Exercise Set 3: Contextual Application:

a. Crafting sentences based on specific scenarios using appropriate tense forms.

 

  1. Aki sat by the window making birds out of paper. Every day, he folded a new one, _______[whisper] (A) a wish into its paper heart. Today’s wish was simple: to see the ocean. Aki ______ [live] (B) in a bustling city, where buildings clawed at the sky and the closest thing to waves was the honking of taxis.

 

Later that day, a sudden gust of wind snatched the paper crane from his pocket. Aki watched, heart pounding, as it soared above the rooftops, a fleeting speck against the concrete jungle. 

 

Days turned into weeks, and Aki almost _______[forget] (C) about his lost wish. Then, one morning, a letter arrived. It was from a stranger, a fisherman  _______[live] (D) on a remote island. He’d found the paper bird washed ashore, the wish scribbled on its wing like a seagull’s cry. The islander wrote of crashing waves and endless horizons, his words painting pictures vivid as sunlight on water. Aki didn’t need to ________[see] (E) the ocean anymore; he’d felt it in the fisherman’s story, carried on the wings of a paper bird.

 

Ans- 

  1. whispering
  2. lived
  3. forgot
  4. living
  5. see

 

  1. Emilia’s bakery was tucked away on a ________[cobble] (A) street, its fragrance a melody that drew in neighbours and tourists alike. Her bread was _______[renown] (B), each loaf a golden symphony of crust and crumb. But Emilia guarded a secret. Tucked into the back of her shop was a dusty oven, unused for years. Inside, _______[lie] (C) an old recipe, whispered from grandmother to granddaughter for generations. It wasn’t just bread; it was magic, a taste of childhood laughter and forgotten dreams.

 

One day, a weary traveller stumbled into the bakery. He asked for a loaf of something warm, something that tasted of home. Emilia hesitated, then glanced at the dusty oven. In his eyes, she saw a flicker of the same longing she knew. With _________[tremble] (D) hands, she revived the old recipe, the flames whispering secrets back to life. When she handed him the warm bread, her heart ached with anticipation. He took a bite, and his eyes widened. “This,” he breathed, “tastes like a memory I couldn’t quite grasp.” As he left, a golden glow _________[radiate] (E) from his smile, proof that sometimes, the best secrets are those shared with an open heart.

 

Ans- 

  1. cobbled
  2. renowned/famous
  3. lay
  4. trembling
  5. radiated

 

  1. Toby wasn’t like other children. He didn’t speak much, preferring the whispering company of the ancient oak trees in his backyard. But the trees understood him. They ____[know] (A) his dreams of soaring kites and his fear of bullies. One day, an architect _________[threaten] (B) to cut down the trees, filling Toby’s heart with grief. He stood before the council, his voice _________[tremble] (C), translating the whispers of the trees into poignant pleas. The councilmen, moved by his passion and the silent voices of the oak giants, _________[change] (D) their minds. Toby, the boy who spoke to trees, became the hero who saved them, proving that even the quietest words can make the ________[loud] (E) impact.

 

Ans- 

  1. knew
  2. threatened
  3. trembling
  4. changed
  5. loudest

 

  1. Every night, Maya would climb the ladder to her rooftop, gazing at the vast tapestry of stars. She yearned to fly amongst them, to touch the moonbeams like whispers on her skin. One night, a dazzling shooting star streaked across the sky, _____[land] (A) in her backyard garden. As Maya approached, the star unfolded, revealing a tiny, shimmering creature with wings like a small angel. It was a Star Sprite, lost and homesick. Maya_______[nurse] (B) it back to health, sharing stories of Earth and its wonders. In return, the Star Sprite sprinkled moonbeams on her garden, making the flowers ______[bloom] (C) in bright colours. When the time came for the Star Sprite to _______[return] (D) , Maya gifted it a tiny lantern fashioned from a firefly, a beacon to guide it home. As the Star Sprite soared into the night, a single star_______ [blink] (E), brighter than any other, a silent thank you from beyond the universe.

 

Ans-

  1. landing
  2. nursed
  3. bloom
  4. return
  5. blinked

 

  1. The sun ________[blaze] (A) fierce, baking the land like clay. A crow, throat parched like dust, flapped from tree to dry well, but found only emptiness. Weakened, he saw a glimmer below – a child’s metal pot. Hope spurred him on.

 

He landed, pecking at the clay pot, but only a single drop fell, _________[mock] (B) his thirst. Despair pricked him. Then, a glint caught his eye – pebbles ______[scatter] (C) under the pot. With a desperate chirp, he began dropping them, one by one, into the clay pot

 

The water rose, inch by inch. Finally, a cool cascade flowed. The crow ________[dip] (D) his beak, gulping with joy. Each swallow was a poem of life, each feather shimmering anew. And so, the thirsty crow, with wit and grit, _______[conquer] (E) the sun, a tiny hero in a land of heat.

 

Ans-

  1. blazed
  2. mocking
  3. scattered
  4. dipped
  5. conquered 

 

b. Dialogue completion exercises requiring the use of specific tenses.

 

  1. Two friends discussing their upcoming exams and strategies for dealing with stress.

 

Rohan: Hi Tanya! How are you?

Tanya: I’m fine. How are you? 

Rohan: I am fine as well. I can’t believe boards are just months away.

Tanya: I know, I am so _______(A – stress) .

Rohan: Me too. I _________ (B – have) a nightmare last night where my physics paper turned into a blank sheet. Woke up in a cold sweat.

Tanya: I can totally relate. I can’t focus. My attention span these days is about the length of a TikTok video.

Rohan: That’s funny. 

 Tanya: Spill your stress-busting secrets. 

Rohan: I go for a walk in the morning. Helps me feel ______ (C – energise) all day. 

Tanya: I cram all night.

Rohan: Nah, sleep deprivation is a recipe for disaster. You must _______  (D – follow) a proper study routine.

Tanya: Any study tips?

Rohan: I’m making notes, flashcards and ________ (E – practise) previous year papers.

Tanya: Flashcards, good idea! And practice tests, definitely. Can we quiz each other later?

Rohan: Deal! And hey, remember, it’s just one exam. We’ll ace it.

(They bump fists, a glimmer of confidence replacing the panic.)

 

Ans- 

  1. stressed 
  2. had
  3. energised
  4. follow
  5. practising 

 

  1. A group of students discussing their career aspirations and anxieties.

 

Setting: Canteen

 

Maya: So, guys, picture this: Dr. Maya Sharma, renowned neuroscientist, discovering the cure for Alzheimer’s! Talk about _______ (A – leave)  your mark on the world.

 

Rohan: Woah, ambitious! I’m more of a tech geek myself. Imagine designing the next revolutionary AI program, something that changes the way we interact with technology.

 

Anika: You guys are aiming for the stars! I just want a job that makes me happy, something creative maybe. Graphic design, writing, maybe even _____  (B – open) my own bakery filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread.

 

Raj: My dream is adventure! Travel writing, _______ (C – explore) hidden corners of the world, sharing stories that inspire others to break free from the ordinary.

 

Maya: See, such diverse dreams! But honestly, I’m ________ (D – terrify) of what the future holds. What if my research goes nowhere?

 

Rohan: I feel you. The tech world is cutthroat, and what if my ideas get copied by some big tech company. 

 

Raj: And the thought of being _________ (E – lose) in a jungle with a laptop on my back gives me serious shivers. What if I run into a hungry jaguar?

All laugh.

 

(Bell rings indicating end of the recess period)

 

Ans- 

  1. leaving
  2. opening
  3. exploring
  4. terrified
  5. lost

 

  1. A family debate about the environmental impact of their daily habits.

 

Mom: So, yesterday I ______ (A – watch/ see)  this documentary about plastic pollution in the ocean, and it really got me thinking… about us.

 

Tina: Hm? Don’t tell me you’re gonna start ________ (B – lecture) us about plastic straws again.

 

Mom: Not the straws. About everything! The constant takeout containers, the single-use coffee cups, the car rides to school instead of cycling…

 

Tina: But Mom, it’s convenient!

 

Mom: Our everyday habits, even small ones, add up and impact the environment more than we realize.

 

Dad: Okay, okay, I get it. But remember, we gotta balance environmental stuff with being practical. This commute without a car would take an hour!

 

Mom: I wasn’t suggesting drastic changes, just small steps. Refilling water bottles, _____  (C – use) reusable grocery bags, taking public transport when possible. We can even start composting!

 

Tina: Composting? Like, worms in the kitchen? Gross!

 

Mom: Not exactly! It’s a fancy way of ________ (D – turn) food scraps into fertilizer for our garden. Think about it, less waste in landfills, more nutrients for our veggies.

 

Dad: This is all well and good, but what about the cost? Reusable products, organic food… it adds up.

 

Mom: True, but we can be smart! Check out second-hand shops for reusable items, plan meals to avoid food waste, and even ______ (E – grow) some of our own herbs. It’s an investment in both our planet and our health.

 

Tina: You’re right! Small changes, made together, can create a big impact.

 

Ans- 

  1. saw / watched
  2. lecturing
  3. using
  4. turning
  5. grow

 

  1. A conversation between teenagers about their views on social media and its influence.

 

Ria: Sarah posts such good selfies. Looks like I need to up my photo game.

 

Anil: Don’t get sucked into the Insta-game, Ria. It’s all filters and carefully curated moments, not real life.

 

Ria: But sometimes it’s fun! I love checking out new fashion trends, seeing what my friends are up to, and discovering cool artists through recommendations.

 

Anil: Yeah, I get that. But it can also be a bit of a pressure. Everyone seems to be having the most amazing time, living their best lives, and it makes me feel like my own life is boring.

 

Ria: I know, right? Like, everyone’s at parties, travelling the world, or getting perfect grades. It’s easy to feel like you’re __________ (A – miss ) out.

 

Anil: Exactly! And then you start ________ (B – compare) yourself, worrying about likes and comments, and it all messes with your head.

 

Ria: But Anil, it’s also a way to connect. We chat with friends across the world, join online communities with shared interests, and even learn new things through educational channels.

 

Anil: True, it can be a powerful tool for communication and _______ (C – learn) . But just remember, social media is just a highlight reel, not the full movie. Don’t let it define your happiness or worth.

 

Ria: You’re right. Maybe we should set some limits, like screen-free evenings or designated “phone-free zones” to connect in real life.

 

Anil: Awesome idea! And instead of just __________ (D – consume) content, let’s also use it to create something positive. Share funny pics with friends, post uplifting messages, or even start a project to share our passions with others.

 

Ria: I like that! Like a book club for recommending comics or _______ (E – start) a music channel showcasing local bands.

 

Anil: Now that’s the kind of social media I can get behind! Sharing, creating, and connecting without getting lost in the comparison trap.

 

(They high-five, a new understanding settling between them.)

 

Ans- 

  1. missing
  2. comparing
  3. learning
  4. consuming
  5. starting

 

  1. A dialogue between students from different cultural backgrounds about their traditions and customs.

 

Simran: Hey Sarah, Alex, you curious about Diwali? We just _________ (A – celebrate) last week, and it was amazing.

 

Michelle: Diwali? I know it’s the “Festival of Lights,” but tell me more!

 

Alex: Yeah, what’s it all about? Do you decorate your house with fairy lights?

 

Simran: Actually, we use clay lamps called diyas, with little flames ___________ (B – flicker) like tiny stars. The festival is about celebrating light over darkness, victory of good over evil.

 

Alex: Wow! 

 

Michelle: Are there any special dishes made on that day?

 

Simran: Oh, you’re in for a treat! We have sweets like gulab jamuns and jalebis, savory snacks like samosas and pakoras, and special Diwali meals with different curries, puris and rice .

 

Alex:  My mouth’s already ________. (C – water) 

 

Simran: There are also sparklers and firecrackers! It’s like a giant fireworks show, celebrating the triumph of good over evil.

 

Michelle : Wow, it sounds super festive! Do you ______ (D – wear) special clothes?

 

Simran: Absolutely! We dress up in new, bright coloured and traditional outfits.

 

Alex: Man, it sounds like Diwali is a total party! Can we come celebrate with you guys next year?

 

Simran: Of course! Diwali is all about _______ (E – share) joy.

 

Ans- 

  1. celebrated
  2. flickering
  3. watering
  4. wear
  5. sharing

 

Conclusion – 

In conclusion, a thorough understanding and application of tenses through various exercises not only enhances language proficiency but also contributes significantly to effective communication. Through practice, we gain a deeper understanding of the nuances and subtleties associated with different tenses, allowing us to express ourselves with precision and clarity. It plays a crucial role in strengthening the grammatical foundation, providing learners with the confidence to navigate the complexities of language.

 

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