Present Perfect vs Past Simple: A2 Exercises

Every answer with the reason behind it. Read the explanation for the ones you got right as well — that is where you find out whether you were right for the right reason.

Multiple choice questions — answers

1. I ___ that film last night. → saw

Last night is a finished time, so the past simple is required.

2. I ___ that film — it's excellent. → have seen

No finished time is named, and the point is the present experience.

3. She ___ to Japan three times. → has been

Counting experiences up to now takes the present perfect.

4. She ___ to Japan in 2019. → went

A named year closes the period, so the past simple is used.

5. ___ you ever eaten Georgian food? → Have

Ever asks about experience at any time, which needs the present perfect.

6. When ___ you buy that jacket? → did

A when question asks about a specific finished moment.

7. We ___ here since March. → have lived

Since introduces a period continuing to now.

8. We ___ here for two years and then moved. → lived

The situation is over, so the past simple is correct.

9. He ___ his keys — that's why we can't get in. → has lost

The present result matters, so the present perfect is used.

10. He ___ his keys on the bus yesterday. → lost

Yesterday closes the period and forces the past simple.

11. Which time expression goes with the present perfect? → so far

So far leaves the period open and continuing.

12. I ___ him this morning. (It is now 11 a.m.) → have seen

This morning is unfinished at 11 a.m., so the present perfect fits.

13. I ___ him this morning. (It is now 9 p.m.) → saw

By the evening the morning is a finished period.

14. ___ you finish the report? → Did

Without yet or another open-period marker, the plain question is past simple.

15. She ___ four books this year. → has written

This year is not over, so the count continues into the present.

16. Which sentence pattern is most natural in conversation? → Have you ever been to Paris? Yes, I went in May.

The opening question is present perfect and the details are past simple.

17. They ___ the house in 2018 and sold it last year. → bought

Both events are inside closed periods, so both are past simple.

18. I ___ never been on a plane. → have

Never describes experience up to now, which is present perfect territory.

19. The train ___ ten minutes ago. → left

Ago always names a finished point, so the past simple is required.

20. How many countries ___ you visited? → have

Counting up to the present moment takes the present perfect.

Fill-in-the-blank questions — answers

1. I ___ my phone yesterday and had to buy a new one. → broke

Yesterday closes the period, so the past simple is used.

2. I've ___ my phone, so I can't call you back. → broken

The present consequence is what matters, so the participle follows have.

3. She ___ to Italy twice this year. → has been

This year is unfinished, so the count continues to now.

4. She ___ to Italy last April for a wedding. → went

A named month in the past requires the past simple.

5. ___ you ever ridden a motorbike? → Have

Ever asks about experience at any point up to now.

6. When ___ they get married? → did

A when question asks about a specific finished moment.

7. We ___ known each other since university. → have

Since introduces a period that continues into the present.

8. He ___ in Ankara for six years before moving to Izmir. → lived

The period is closed by the second clause, so the past simple is used.

9. The shop ___ just closed — you have missed it by a minute. → has

Just marks a very recent event with a present result.

10. I ___ that book three times, and I still enjoy it. → have read

Counting experiences up to now takes the present perfect.

11. They ___ the bridge in 1974. → built

A named year requires the past simple.

12. Nothing much ___ happened so far this week. → has

So far leaves the period open.

13. How many emails ___ you sent today? → have

Today is unfinished, so the count continues to the present.

14. I ___ up at six this morning and went straight out. → got

The sequence of finished events belongs in the past simple.

15. She has ___ her degree, so she can apply now. → finished

The present result is what matters.

16. We ___ dinner two hours ago. → had

Ago always closes the period, so the past simple is required.

17. ___ you spoken to your landlord about the leak? → Have

The question is about whether something has happened up to now.

18. He ___ his job last month and hasn't found another one. → left

Last month is a finished period.

19. I've never ___ anybody so determined. → met

Never describes experience up to the present moment.

20. The parcel ___ on Tuesday, according to the tracking. → arrived

A named day in the past takes the past simple.

Sentence structure: word ordering — answers

1. State a complete absence of experience. → I have never been to Australia.

State a complete absence of experience.

2. Date a trip with a specific year. → We went to Australia in 2016.

Date a trip with a specific year.

3. Ask about experience with no fixed time. → Have you read this article before?

Ask about experience with no fixed time.

4. Report reading inside a finished period. → She read the article last night.

Report reading inside a finished period.

5. Report a loss with a present consequence. → He has lost his wallet again.

Report a loss with a present consequence.

6. Date a loss with a specific day. → He lost his wallet on Friday.

Date a loss with a specific day.

7. Count experiences up to the present. → They have moved house three times.

Count experiences up to the present.

8. Use ago to date a completed move. → They moved to Bristol two years ago.

Use ago to date a completed move.

9. Describe a job continuing into the present. → I have worked here since January.

Describe a job continuing into the present.

10. Describe a job that has ended. → I worked there for three years.

Describe a job that has ended.

11. Ask about a delivery in an unfinished day. → Has the postman been today?

Ask about a delivery in an unfinished day.

12. Report a delivery in a finished period. → The postman came at eight yesterday.

Report a delivery in a finished period.

13. Count achievements up to the present. → She has written two books so far.

Count achievements up to the present.

14. Date a publication with a year. → She wrote her first book in 2011.

Date a publication with a year.

15. Report an event completed moments ago. → We have just finished the meeting.

Report an event completed moments ago.

16. Date an ending with ago. → The meeting finished an hour ago.

Date an ending with ago.

17. Ask about the total experience of a lifetime. → How many times have you flown?

Ask about the total experience of a lifetime.

18. Ask for a specific date in the past. → When did you last fly anywhere?

Ask for a specific date in the past.

19. Politely decline food with a present result. → I have already eaten, thank you.

Politely decline food with a present result.

20. Report a meal inside a finished sequence. → I ate at the airport before boarding.

Report a meal inside a finished sequence.