Shifts: tense

In each pair, click on the version of the passage that does not have shifts in verb tense.

For help with this exercise, see Shifts in tense.

Example

1 of 10

Question

undefined.  
◯ I thought that J. K. Rowling’s books about Harry Potter were only for children until I picked up Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and found myself unable to put it down.
◯ I thought that J. K. Rowling’s books about Harry Potter were only for children until I pick up Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and find myself unable to put it down.
Shifts: tense – 1

2 of 10

Question

undefined.  
◯ Rowling, who is now one of the richest people in England, had the ability to make readers of any age remember their awkward preteen years.
◯ Rowling, who is now one of the richest people in England, has the ability to make readers of any age remember their awkward preteen years.
Shifts: tense – 2

3 of 10

Question

undefined.  
◯ Eleven-year-olds identify with Harry Potter, and so do a lot of adults.
◯ Eleven-year-olds identify with Harry Potter, and so did a lot of adults.
Shifts: tense – 3

4 of 10

Question

undefined.  
◯ Harry is an orphan being raised by his unpleasant aunt and uncle, who treated him dreadfully.
◯ Harry is an orphan being raised by his unpleasant aunt and uncle, who treat him dreadfully.
Shifts: tense – 4

5 of 10

Question

undefined.  
◯ At the age of eleven, Harry learned that he had magic powers and that he has been accepted at the prestigious Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
◯ At the age of eleven, Harry learns that he has magic powers and that he has been accepted at the prestigious Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Shifts: tense – 5

6 of 10

Question

undefined.  
◯ Harry is able to escape from the clutches of his awful relatives and live at the school, where he made friends for the first time.
◯ Harry is able to escape from the clutches of his awful relatives and live at the school, where he makes friends for the first time.
Shifts: tense – 6

7 of 10

Question

undefined.  
◯ Although every child would love to have magic abilities like the ones Harry has, few would want to face all of the evils that Harry encountered.
◯ Although every child would love to have magic abilities like the ones Harry has, few would want to face all of the evils that Harry encounters.
Shifts: tense – 7

8 of 10

Question

undefined.  
◯ The Harry Potter books were a publishing phenomenon. Children and adults alike wanted to read each volume the instant it became available.
◯ The Harry Potter books were a publishing phenomenon. Children and adults alike wanted to read each volume the instant it becomes available.
Shifts: tense – 8

9 of 10

Question

undefined.  
◯ Graduate students have written dissertations analyzing why Harry Potter appeals to so many people—and why both adults and children found his story meaningful.
◯ Graduate students have written dissertations analyzing why Harry Potter appeals to so many people—and why both adults and children find his story meaningful.
Shifts: tense – 9

10 of 10

Question

undefined.  
◯ Rowling has a wonderful imagination, and her books are terrifically enjoyable.
◯ Rowling has a wonderful imagination, and her books were terrifically enjoyable.
Shifts: tense – 10