Trying Your Hand

Sentence Writing
Verb Tenses
(Refer to the Workbook .)
Practice 1: Write Through Applying Grammar Rules

Complete the following sentences using the right verb form.
  1　Up to now, we       (not receive) any news from her.
  2　I had intended to call on you yesterday, but someone       (come) to
  　 see me.
  3　As a school boy I knew the sun       (be) the center of the solar
  　 system.
  4　I have worked here since I       (graduate) from college.
  5　By the time you get back, great changes       (take place) in this area.
  6　She told me her name after I       (ask) her twice.
  7　He said he       (write) since two o'clock that morning.
  8　When she was here, she       (complain) about the living condition.
  9　That was the second time I       (be) abroad.
10　I       (watch) my favorite TV show at seven o'clock this evening.

Key:
1. haven't received               2.came            3.is          4. graduated     
5.will have taken place         6.had asked      7.had been writing     
8. was always complaining    9. had been    10. will be watching
Practice 2: Write Through Correcting Mistakes
Correct the errors in the following sentences.
  1　Many years ago, Jim had lived in Paris with his uncle for a long time.
 2　The teacher told the students that light traveled much faster than sound.
 3　He told us he had joined the party in 2000.
 4　It is snowing every day since last Sunday.
 5　Bob has got married for six years.
 6　By 2050, scientists surely must discover a cure for AIDS.
 7　John has gone to Beijing several times and he knows the place very well.
 8　He has been working on software design since five years.
 9　They began a new course since yesterday.
10　He has lived in London until 1999.
11　By seven o'clock yesterday, we arrived at the airport.
12　I would have gone to Shanghai yesterday, but I had missed the flight.
13　It was a long time since I saw you last.
14　Whenever we visited them, they had watched TV.
15　I hear he has gone abroad. I wonder when he had left.

Key:
1. Many years ago, Jim lived in Paris with his uncle for a long time.
2. The teacher told the students that light travels much faster than sound.
3. He told us he joined the party in 2000.
4. It has been snowing since last Sunday.
5. Bob got married six years ago./ Bob has been married for six years.
6. By 2050, scientists surely will have discovered a cure for AIDS.
7. John has been to Beijing several times and he knows the place very well.
8. He has been working on software design for five years./ He has been working on
software design since five years ago.
9. They have begun a new course since yesterday. / They began a new course     yesterday.
10. He lived in London until 1999.
11. By seven o'clock yesterday, we had arrived at the airport.
12. I would have gone to Shanghai yesterday, but I missed the flight.
13. It is / has been a long time since I saw you last.
14. Whenever we visited them, they were watching TV.
15. I hear he has gone abroad. I wonder when he left.

Practice 3: Write Through Translating
Translate the following sentences into English.
1　这是他所写的最有趣的小说。
2　老师进教室时，学生们还在大笑
3　我还没读完这本书，所以不想还给图书馆。
4　这是你第一次来中国吗？
5　即使下午有雨，我也和你一起去市里。
6　我没听见你刚才说的什么，我看电视呢。
7　我知道王先生目前正住在南京。
8　这座小城位于一座山脚下。

Key:
1.This is the most interesting novel he has ever written.
2.The students were still laughing when the teacher came into the classroom.
3.I haven't finished the book yet, so I don't want to return it to the library.
4.Is this the first time you're come to China?
5.Even if it rains in the afternoon, I will go downtown with you.
6.I didn't hear what you said just now. I was watching TV.
7.I know Mr. Wang is living in Nanjing at the moment.
8.The little town lies at the foot of a mountain.

Practice 4: Write Through Describing a Schedule
Suppose this is your schedule for the coming three days. Write a paragraph of about 100 words based on the information given in the schedule. You can begin your passage by "I've got a very busy schedule..."

Key: