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

    DHZAZT2SF2PWRfU9fO1Klzq9Shq5gMi3c/0/9HLO7VUe71dGPsbOExfffD2qbR5uQ6XcYUr7RfAFKX6j
    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

    Ez2gP0L5SxDXK8MN8p8EZeKRG6r7eGkxLNjszZrQJ6cBM96xcFVOWW9SLyBDM59dU+IBrxNADIDbay382zN7szQf/Ds=
    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

    Mcj9LLIK+Kw2A3zQ6k9m5k0BQZnrYFPpnEI8WtZg+KR8FAEXIXntp0HQC3izVfJwrlDH/1YJRUgUQ0sMqDmrqw==
    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

    hhzXTGMizCq4vh4BNimI8YObH8YuMHKF4k2wdBdXjfpMjbwPUgK8ehRCpruMpoXbuPyub5TRB6KNKXWl0FqlFItBzJ0=
    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

    1qIwtLgVIlWsiOZk46GaJCFMHQjv009u0bfjrT6a1KpDo5f27cGaIcuzHmhQPfVS5BU5pKlFBuKQ13J8MdaLM4m8bc3CaC9w
    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

    PpcxxsxCcRUehduQo5hXGkKMKVGlZNJfebt3Tjxj1qKhWQYbsvhJgvNpPk9BaPgU9FN3SxFlJBvHaWMD
    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

    0ehBzszsjNa6kCKPWN8UVABYEQcz3yZAot43nK3wmYLGYmiojP7vKD0HEuuue/OTu2C6B7TnIuMhH5em9qu46A==
    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

    gaRnFvMEiB6jOFRyLh3mPrTr1iMtIb0DvBzLZNeZ8EqryZvd+/p2XIr7OAvj8mFl0Gg1rc9g5ukX95N4GAlEdeijHTzkZ5RV
    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

    O5V7EsKWN2cT7DSmXDihzQOZbu7S6pjYSGcbaU0VKhky8uj2iieHlih0mGqnZqjA30zT6tG78r2XFW55uR0/e/QIGqA=
    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

    lH7hMEekSJakNP7dP9VzeVIANjlGKRfkrZIhc+crlINdMyrj2tF5KEDDKjA32f1FjGMCnc6HtIXeQbVhhCqWaBmVFfo=
    10. By the time of his death in 2004, Charles understood that he (inspired / had inspired) many people.