Complete the following exercise using either the simple past or the present perfect tense.

"El Moli" by Salvador Dali, 1923


Note: Use the simple past if:

1. The action occurred in the past and
does not include the present.

2. The action happened in specific past time.

Use the present perfect if:

1. The action includes the present.

2. The action occurred in non specific past time.

3. For repeated actions in the past.

4. For adverbs of frequency in actions that include the present time.



1. Mr. and Mrs. Slater (se! ll) sold their house several days ago.

2. George Howell (work) has worked for the Ajax Company since 1999.

3. Our instructor (explain) explained that lesson to us in yesterday's class.

4. The weather (be) has been terrible ever since last Saturday.

5. We (spend) spent several weeks in Mexico City last year.

6. Many people in this class (see, never) have never seen the famous Grand Canyon.

7. Our friends (return) returned to Canada a week ago yesterday.

8. Mic hael (study) has studied English at this school for six months now.

9. I (speak) have spoken to Mr. Scott about that matter several times already.

10. Miss Ross (be) was in Havana until two months ago.

11. My wife and I (travel) traveled by air many times in the past.

12. My friend Roger (see, never) has never seen that television program.

13. Fred and Bill (finish, not) haven't finished their homework yet.

14. I (have) had a little trouble with my car last week.

15. However, I (have) haven't had any trouble with it since that time.

16. John (drive) has driven over the Golden Gate Bridge hundreds of times.

17. I (read, already) have already read 187 pages of this new novel.

18. From the time of his arrival until now, he (avoid) has avoided that sensitive topic.

19. We (study) have studied practically every lesson in the book so far.

20. The mailman (deliver) delivered the! letter just a few minutes ago.

21. That fellow (w! ork) has worked here for the past three weeks.

22. Our teacher (give) has given us more than four examinations this semester.

23. Formerly, Mr. Foster (work) worked for the A. B.C. Supply Company.

24. We (have) have had more than the normal amount of rain so far this year.

25. Before his graduation, Fred's brother (apply) applied for a job with Apple Computer.

26. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips (live) lived in Daly City from 1995 to 2002.

27. A little while ago, we (hear) heard some very bad news.

28. Professor Moore, our English teacher, (write) has written three textbooks.

29. I (read) read that book three or four times when I was in my twenties.

30. The Smiths (go) went to Belgium during their vacation.

31. Pierre and Carlos (learn) have learned a lot of English since June.

32. Mr. and Mrs. Benson (fly) have flown to New York twice since last summer.

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