Using the Past Perfect Tense

In each of the following sentences, choose the correct verb tense from the parentheses. For help with this exercise, see “Past Participles.”

  1. His family (was / had been) poor even before the Great Depression started.

    Question

    		A.
    		B.
    1. His family (was / had been) poor even before the Great Depression started.
  2. Until he was four years old, Ray (enjoyed / had enjoyed) normal vision.

    Question

    		A.
    		B.
    2. Until he was four years old, Ray (enjoyed / had enjoyed) normal vision.
  3. However, by the time he was seven, he (became / had become) totally blind.

    Question

    		A.
    		B.
    3. However, by the time he was seven, he (became / had become) totally blind.
  4. When he (tripped / had tripped) over furniture and asked for his mother’s help, often she just watched him and remained silent.

    Question

    		A.
    		B.
    4. When he (tripped / had tripped) over furniture and asked for his mother’s help, often she just watched him and remained silent.
  5. In this way, she (encouraged / had encouraged) him to learn how to help himself get back up.

    Question

    		A.
    		B.
    5. In this way, she (encouraged / had encouraged) him to learn how to help himself get back up.
  6. She (come / had come) to recognize how important it was for Ray to find his way on his own.

    Question

    		A.
    		B.
    6. She (come / had come) to recognize how important it was for Ray to find his way on his own.
  7. Ray later (spent / had spent) several years in Florida’s state school for the deaf and blind.

    Question

    		A.
    		B.
    7. Ray later (spent / had spent) several years in Florida’s state school for the deaf and blind.
  8. By the time he left the school, he (developed / had developed) his unusual gift for playing, composing, and arranging music.

    Question

    		A.
    		B.
    8. By the time he left the school, he (developed / had developed) his unusual gift for playing, composing, and arranging music.
  9. By the time he became a star, Ray Charles (refined / had refined) his unique musical style.

    Question

    		A.
    		B.
    9. By the time he became a star, Ray Charles (refined / had refined) his unique musical style.
  10. By the time of his death in 2004, Charles understood that he (inspired / had inspired) many people.

    Question

    		A.
    		B.
    10. By the time of his death in 2004, Charles understood that he (inspired / had inspired) many people.
[Leave] [Close]