I _____ already _____ that film. Let's choose a different one.
Tip: 'Already' signals present perfect when talking about a completed action with present relevance. 'Have seen' = I experienced it at some point before now.
Question 2 of 15
She to Paris three times in her life.
Tip: Use 'has been' for life experiences without a specific time. 'Has been' (not 'has gone') because she came back each time. 'Went' would need a specific time like 'in 2019'.
Question 3 of 15
The team the championship in 2003.
Tip: 'In 2003' is a specific finished time — always use past simple with specific past time references. You can never say 'has won in 2003'.
Question 4 of 15
_____ you ever _____ sushi?
Tip: 'Ever' in questions about life experience requires present perfect. 'Have you ever eaten sushi?' = at any point in your life. This is a classic present perfect pattern.
Question 5 of 15
We in Berlin since 2018.
Tip: 'Since 2018' with a situation that started in the past and continues now uses present perfect. 'We have lived here since 2018' means we still live there.
Question 6 of 15
She her phone. She can't find it anywhere.
Tip: 'Has lost' connects a past action to a present consequence (she can't find it). When the result is still relevant now, use present perfect. No specific time = not past simple.
Question 7 of 15
I a terrible dream last night.
Tip: 'Last night' is a finished time period — use past simple 'had'. You cannot use present perfect with specific finished times like last night, yesterday, in 2020, or ago.
Question 8 of 15
When _____ you _____ your driving test?
Tip: 'When' with a completed past event always uses past simple. You cannot say 'When have you passed?' — 'when' demands past simple because it asks for a specific moment. Always use 'When did you...?'
Question 9 of 15
He _____ just _____ from a month-long trip to Southeast Asia.
Tip: 'Just' indicating very recent completion uses present perfect: 'He has just returned'. This is one of the clearest signals for present perfect — along with 'already', 'yet', and 'recently'.
Question 10 of 15
That's the most interesting book I _____ ever _____.
Tip: After superlatives ('the most interesting', 'the best', 'the worst'), English always uses present perfect. 'The most interesting book I have ever read' covers your entire life experience.
Question 11 of 15
They the report yet. The deadline is tomorrow.
Tip: 'Yet' in negative sentences signals present perfect. 'Haven't finished yet' = the action is expected but hasn't happened. 'They' takes 'haven't', not 'hasn't'.
Question 12 of 15
How long _____ you _____ English?
Tip: 'How long' for an ongoing action from past to present uses present perfect continuous. 'Have you been studying' emphasizes the continuous duration up to now.
Question 13 of 15
She to three different schools before she was 12.
Tip: 'Before she was 12' closes the timeframe entirely in the past. Use past simple 'went'. Even though it's an experience, the specific closed time reference (before age 12) makes past simple correct.
Question 14 of 15
I can't open the document. I think the file corrupted.
Tip: 'Has become' connects the past event to the present problem (can't open it). Present perfect is used when a past event has a clear, immediate consequence in the present.
Question 15 of 15
_____ the news this morning? The mayor _____ from office.
Tip: Tricky! 'Have you heard' = any time recently (present perfect). 'Has resigned' = recent news still relevant. Both present perfect because 'this morning' is still part of today. If it were 'yesterday morning', we'd use past simple for both.
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B1 Verb Tenses
Past Simple vs Present Perfect Quiz (B1)
These two tenses confuse even intermediate learners. Test whether you know when to say 'I went' versus 'I have gone' — and why it matters.
15 questions
~7 min
Instant feedback
About this quiz
The past simple and present perfect are two of the most commonly confused tenses in English. The past simple describes completed actions at a specific time in the past ('I visited Rome in 2018'). The present perfect connects the past to the present — it describes experiences, recent events, or actions with present relevance ('I have visited Rome three times').
A key rule: if you mention a specific time (yesterday, last week, in 2018, when I was a child), you must use the past simple. If the time is unspecified or ongoing ('ever', 'never', 'already', 'just', 'yet', 'recently'), the present perfect is usually correct.
British and American English treat this tense differently. Americans often use past simple where British speakers use present perfect ('I already ate' vs. 'I have already eaten'). For international exams like IELTS or Cambridge, follow British usage.
Frequently asked questions
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