PAST PERFECT

1. Work in pairs. Join a sentence from the first column with one from the
seconds to make longer sentences, using when.
e.g When the guests had left, we tidied up.

1. The guest left. a. They had a drink.

2. We unpacked our bags. b. We continued our journey.

3. I read the book. c. I lent it to John.

4. They signed the contract. d. She explained her problem.

5. The baby fell asleep. e. We tidied up.

6. Oliver had a shower. f. We went out

7. It stopped raining g. They went downstairs to watch the film.

8. She calmed down. h. He felt much better.

2. Work in pairs. Decide how to finish the sentences. e.g.:

When we finally got to the station .... the train had already left.

a) When we got to the theatre...............................................

b) As soon as he got to the meeting ......................................
c) When I phoned for the job ...............................................
d) By the time we arrived......................................................
e) When I switched on the TV .............................................
f) By the time she finally got up ..........................................

Write two more beginnings and swap them with another pair.
Write the endings and then pass them back. Add another clause
to the sentences you receive to explain what happen next.
e.g. When we finally got to the station .... the train had already left so we decided to go by
coach.

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Key
ex.1
1. The guest left. + We tidied up.
2. We unpacked our bags. + We went out
3. I read the book. + I lent it to John.
4. They signed the contract. + They had a drink.
5. The baby fell asleep. + They went downstairs to watch the film.
6. Oliver had a shower. + He felt much better.
7. It stopped raining + We continued our journey.
8. She calmed down. + She explained her problem.

Ex.2
Possible answers:

a) When we got to the theatre ... ..THE LAST TWO TICKETS HAD BEEN SOLD..............
b) As soon as he got to the meeting ... .HE REALIZED THAT HE HAD FORGOTTEN HIS DOCUMENTS.................
c) When I phoned for the job ... ...I UNDERSTOOD THAT IT HAD BEEN A PRACTICAL JOKE................................
d) By the time we arrived ... THE FAMILY HAD ALREADY HAD THEIR LUNCH......
e) When I switched on the TV ... I KNEW THAT MY FAVOURITE FILM HAD STARTED .JUST A MOMENT
AGO...........................

f) By the time she finally got up ... ..THE COFFEE HAD BEEN COMPLETELY COLD.............................................

a) so we decided to go the cinema instead.

b) so he got panicked completely and fainted.
c) so I told them I was a chimpanzee and I hang up.
d) so we decided to have just some cold meat with salad in the garden.
e) so I took my tea, then settled myself comfortably on the couch with my kitten I started
to watch.

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