Verb Tense Forms Exercises for Grade 8 Students

Verb Tense Exercises 2

In order to enhance your grammatical accuracy and proficiency in verb tenses, it is imperative to engage in exercises that reinforce the correct usage of tenses. By completing the following exercises, where you are tasked with forming the appropriate tense form of the verbs provided in brackets, you will not only solidify your understanding but also sharpen your skills in utilizing the correct verb tenses. This exercise offers a valuable opportunity to practice and refine your grammatical knowledge, ensuring that your communication remains clear, concise, and professional.

Leonard Changes for Good

Leonard had always been a lazy person. He (1)………. (leave) things until the last minute. The previous year, Leonard (2)……………….(spend) very little time on his studies before his exam. He had felt that that would be sufficient for him to obtain a passing mark. Although Leonard had achieved his objective, his parents (3)………..not………….(satisfy) with his attitude towards studying.

On a normal day, after coming home from school, Leonard would watch his favourite shows for hours together. After that, he (4)………….(use) the computer to play games till late at night. His parents wanted him to be more focused on his studies as the examinations that year were crucial for his future. As Leonard (5)……………..(spend) most of his time on the television and on the computer, his parents decided to allow him to watch the television and use the computer for only one hour per day. When he found out about the restrictions, he threw a tantrum.

He went into the kitchen and (6)…………(smash) the plates and bowls in the house. Shocked at his reaction, Leonard's mother told him to leave the house and to calm down. Leonard's mother (7)……..(has) to clean up the mess. Meanwhile he stormed out of the house and went to the playground nearby. He was mumbling to himself and did not notice a figure coming towards him. "What (8)………you…….(do) here?" the person asked.

Leonard looked up and saw that it was William, his neighbour. Leonard looked up to William as the latter would always cheer him up when he was down. When Leonard (9)………………(bully) by other children in the past, William would stand up for him. To William’s question, he replied, "I'm just resting."

However, William knew from Leonard's expression that something must have happened. He went to sit beside Leonard and asked him what (10) ………………(happen).

Leonard told him about being grounded, and William nodded in sympathy. He placed his hands on Leonard's shoulder and told him that his parents (11)……………(do) it for his own good as he had an important examination that year. William explained to Leonard that if he knew how to manage his time properly his parents (12) ……………… not ………..(decide) to restrict him from using the computer and television. “Try to see things from your parents’ perspective,” he told Leonard.

"I passed my examinations last year," retorted Leonard.

William understood how Leonard felt as he himself (13)………………..(behave) similarly in the past. William's parents had told him that if he did not put more effort in his studies, he would fail his examinations. Despite the constant reminders from his parents to work hard, William (14)…………(pay) any attention to them.

William's parents had not restricted the time he spent on his hobbies as they had trusted him to manage his time properly. However, William (15)……………….(take) his parents' trust for granted and had ended up failing his examinations.

After (16) ………………..(hear) William relate his experience, Leonard began to understand his parents' decision. William saw that Leonard had a contemplative look in his eyes. He decided to leave Leonard alone as he felt that Leonard needed some time to think about the situation. Leonard soon made a resolution to change his lazy attitude and (17)………………..(return) home to apologize to his parents. “I am ready to do as you said,” he told them with a smile.

At first, Leonard found it difficult to use the computer and television for just one hour per day but he (18)…………..(manage) to adapt to it over time. Leonard's parents decided to lift the restriction after a few months as they could see the positive change in his attitude. Although Leonard (19)………………..(allow) to use the computer and television for as long as he could, he did not take advantage of this and managed his time properly. He passed his examinations with flying colours that year and his parents (20) ……………..(be) very proud of him. “I have learned what my priorities should be,” he told his parents.

Answer key:

• would leave
• had spent
• had not been satisfied
• would use
• was spending
• smashed
• had
• are ….doing
• had been bullied
• had happened
• were doing
• would not have decided
• had behaved
• had not behaved
• had taken
• hearing
• returned
• managed
• was allowed
• were