Grammar Interactive Practice
Choose a topic and start practising.
Choose a topic and start practising.
1. It was the coziest café he ( ever see).
2. No sooner had she arrived home than the phone (ring).
3. I (finish) all the cleaning by noon and (sit) by the window, thinking about the week that (pass).
4. The rain ( already stop), but in the distance thunder (still rumble).
5. I ( already go) to bed and (fall asleep) when my phone (ring) and my friend (ask) me to come online.
6. By the time the guests (arrive), she still (not be ready).
7. I (not listen) carefully, so I missed what the teacher (say).
8. By 9 o'clock he (finish) his emails. He (go) out to walk the dog. The rain (stop) but it (be) quite chilly.
9. By the time I (get) to the pharmacy, it (already close).
10. Hardly had we left the house when the bus (break) down just around the corner.
I once (INTERVIEW) an elderly woman in a grand, decaying villa in Seville. Everyone (CALL) her "The Baroness," and she (SEEM) like a relic of a lost aristocracy. While we (SIT) on the terrace, she (TELL) me about the elegant, quiet life she (LEAD) for decades.
She explained that after her family (LOSE) everything in the war, her world (FALL APART). She (MISS) the luxury and the secrets she (BE) part of so much that she (CREATE) this new, fake identity just to survive.
I (MAKE) my way out of the villa when I (NOTICE), hidden behind a heavy velvet curtain, a small, framed photograph. It (SHOW) a stunning young girl in a scandalous cabaret outfit, laughing in a smoky Paris club.
“Gosh,” I (WHISPER). “Is that… you?”
“Yes,” she (REPLY), her eyes suddenly cold and sharp. “I (BE) the star of the Palais Royale before I became a ghost.”
The "Baroness" then (EXPLAIN) that she (WORK) as a high-level informant while she (DANCE) for the elite. A famous novelist (WITNESS) one of her operations and (USE) her real-life adventures to write his best-selling thrillers.
While the florist (PREPARE) a bouquet for the customer, the young assistant (ALREADY CHECK) the delivery notes quickly. Then he (LEAN) against the wooden table waiting for some twine, and casually (ASK): “Boss, do you know where the Green Ivy Villa is?”
“Green Ivy Villa?”
The florist found the name familiar, but couldn’t recall where she (HEAR) about it before, so she shook her head: “No idea. Why are you asking?”
“Oh…” The assistant (STRETCH OUT) his hand and adjusted his apron, “Nothing much, I heard that they (LOOK) for a new gardener there.”
The florist was too busy to notice his nervous look. She (WRAP) the flowers in brown paper and (ANSWER) without thinking: “I can ask my sister about it later – Sir, here are your roses. Be careful, the bouquet is heavy.”
It was likely that the customer waiting for his flowers was too bored to stay silent; he (GLANCE) at the assistant and (SAY) calmly: “Green Ivy Villa isn't a house, it's a closed botanical garden on the hill. I didn't know they (HIRE) students. Do you want me to show you the way?”
The florist finally realized something was strange, and (LOOK UP) at the boy with suspicion: “A closed garden?” Seeing his story fall apart so fast, the assistant (MAKE) a confused face, then (HURRY OUT) of the shop with his notes and a pair of scissors.
1. At the end of the day a waitress who (JUST FINISH) her shift finally (GET) a chance to go out for a smoke.
2. When she (GET) to the restaurant, the delivery boy (COUNT) the tips he (EARN) that day.
3. The name (SOUND) familiar, but she couldn't remember where she (HEAR) it before.
4. The taxi driver (THINK) about his life while he (DRIVE) down the high street.
5. He (LOOK) at his furious boss and (WONDER) what exactly (HAPPEN).
6. When a courier (ARRIVE), she (ALREADY FINISH) her sickeningly sweet coffee.
7. His phone (KEEP) buzzing nonstop, but he (IGNORE) every call. It (BE) nearly midday when he (TURN OFF) his laptop, (TAKE) his bag and (LEAVE) the house.
8. You spent an hour in the parking lot. What you (DO) all that time?