Present & Past Tenses worksheet - Free Printable

Task: Fill in the correct TENSE

The task requires filling in the blanks with the appropriate verb tenses based on the context of the passage. Below is the completed text with the correct tenses filled in, followed by an explanation for each choice.

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#### Completed Text:

These are Sarah and Tom Miller who live in a small town in the countryside together with their parents. A couple of years ago they moved there and before that they lived in a huge city with a lot of traffic and noise. So, it is no surprise that all family members enjoy the small town and the countryside. Mr. Miller works at a bank in town and Mrs. Miller is a housewife. She not only looks after the house, but she also makes sure that the huge garden is always nice and tidy. At the moment Sarah and Tom are at school, Mr. Miller has a meeting and Mrs. Miller and her neighbour, Mrs. Evasson, are sitting in the garden, drinking some coffee. Every Wednesday Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Evasson meet, but one week ago Mrs. Evasson did not visit because she did not feel well and went to the doctor's.

In the afternoon Tom usually plays football with his best friend Peter, but today they are riding their bikes because Peter wants to try out his new one. Two days ago it was Peter's birthday and he had a party with all his friends. He got a new racing bike from his parents, some books and computer games and lots of sweets. Tom was at Peter's birthday party, too, and he and the other guests had a lot of fun. While his guests were watching, Peter blew out the candles of his birthday cake and made a wish. All his friends wanted to know what he wished for, but Peter did not tell anybody.

While Tom was at Peter's birthday party, his sister Sarah stayed at home. She read all afternoon and finally finished the book at 7 p.m. Sarah is a real bookworm and she often reads two books a month. This month she has already read four books and at the moment she is reading the fifth! The book is called "Paula's Dream" and it ...

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Explanation of Each Tense Choice:

1. These are Sarah and Tom Miller who _______ in a small town...
- live: Present tense, as the sentence describes their current situation.

2. A couple of years ago they _______ there...
- moved: Past tense, as it refers to an action that happened in the past.

3. Before that they _______ in a huge city...
- lived: Past tense, describing their previous living situation.

4. So, it is no surprise that all family members _______ the small town...
- enjoy: Present tense, as it describes their current feelings.

5. Mr. Miller _______ at a bank in town...
- works: Present tense, describing his current job.

6. Mrs. Miller _______ a housewife.
- is: Present tense, describing her current status.

7. She _______ after the house...
- not only looks: Present tense, describing her ongoing responsibilities.

8. But she _______ sure that the huge garden is always nice and tidy.
- also makes: Present tense, describing her actions.

9. At the moment Sarah and Tom _______ at school...
- are: Present continuous tense, indicating their current activity.

10. Mr. Miller _______ a meeting...
- has: Present tense (simple present), indicating a scheduled event.

11. Mrs. Miller and her neighbour, Mrs. Evasson, _______ in the garden...
- are sitting: Present continuous tense, describing their current activity.

12. Every Wednesday Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Evasson _______...
- meet: Present tense, describing a regular habit.

13. But one week ago Mrs. Evasson _______ because she _______ well and _______ to the doctor's.
- did not visit: Past tense.
- did not feel: Past tense.
- went: Past tense.

14. In the afternoon Tom _______ football with his best friend Peter...
- usually plays: Present tense, describing a regular habit.

15. But today they _______ their bikes...
- are riding: Present continuous tense, describing their current activity.

16. Two days ago it _______ Peter's birthday...
- was: Past tense, describing a past event.

17. He _______ a party with all his friends.
- had: Past tense, describing a past event.

18. He _______ a new racing bike from his parents...
- got: Past tense, describing a past event.

19. Tom _______ at Peter's birthday party, too...
- was: Past tense, describing his presence at the party.

20. He and the other guests _______ a lot of fun.
- had: Past tense, describing their enjoyment.

21. While his guests _______, Peter _______ out the candles of his birthday cake and _______ a wish.
- were watching: Past continuous tense, describing simultaneous actions.
- blew: Past tense.
- made: Past tense.

22. All his friends _______ to know what he _______ for...
- wanted: Past tense.
- wished: Past tense.

23. But Peter _______ anybody.
- did not tell: Past tense.

24. While Tom was at Peter's birthday party, his sister Sarah _______ at home.
- stayed: Past tense, describing her action during that time.

25. She _______ all afternoon and finally _______ the book at 7 p.m.
- read: Past tense.
- finished: Past tense.

26. Sarah _______ a real bookworm and she _______ two books a month.
- is: Present tense, describing her characteristic.
- often reads: Present tense, describing her regular habit.

27. This month she _______ four books...
- has already read: Present perfect tense, indicating an action completed up to now.

28. At the moment she _______ the fifth!
- is reading: Present continuous tense, describing her current activity.

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Final Answer:

\boxed{
\text{See the completed text above.}
}