8. What a way to go

Here are some of the strangest deaths on record. Read these true stories and fill the gaps with a verb from the right in the correct narrative tense, active or passive.

Present Perfect and Past tenses

9. Present Perfect in news stories

Here are some parts of a newspaper article. Study the underlined verbs.

Correct them if necessary, or put a V.

CYCLE ROUTE SUCCESS IN BIRMINGHAM

New cycle routes (1) have been built in and around the centre of Birmingham and speed limits (2) have been reduced on selected roads...The scheme (3) was now in operation for a year and (4) has been hailed as a great success. Since the new speed limits (5) were introduced, the number of accidents in the area (6) fell dramatically...It (7) has taken only six months to draw up the plans and mark the routes. This (8) has been done in consultation with groups representing city

cyclists...Jane Wills, a keen cyclist who works in the city centre, told us: 'When the new routes (9) have been introduced, I (10) have sold my car and I (11)bought a bike. I (12) cycled to work ever since. It's the best thing the council (13) did for cyclists and pedestrians in the time I've been living in Birmingham.'...The success of the scheme (14) has led to proposals for similar schemes in other cities.

Past habits with Used to and Would

1. Complete the sentences with the correct form of used to, positive, question, or negative.

1. There be a beautiful old building where that car park is now.

2. have a Saturday job when you were at school?

3. She be so moody. It's only since she lost her job.

4. play cricket when you were at school?

5. My grandfather never __________________ get so out of breath when he climbed the stairs.

6. Julie be as slim as she is now. She's been dieting.

7. Where go out to eat when you lived in Madrid?

8. __________________ smoke 60 cigarettes a day? How did you give up?

2. Which of the verb forms can complete the sentences below? Underline all possible

answers.

Example

We _____________ Auntie Jean every time we went to London.

a visited b used to visit с would visit

1. I _____________ long blonde hair when I was first married.

а had b used to have с would have

2. Pam ______________ out with Andy for six months but then she ditched him.

а went b used to go с would go

3. We _______________ coffee and croissants every morning for breakfast.

a had b used to have с would have

4. We _________________ to each other every day when we were apart.

а wrote b used to write с would write

5. He _______________ to me for 25 years and then stopped.

a wrote b used to write с would write

6. In the old days people ________________ you if you were in trouble.

a helped b used to help с would help

7. I____________ living so close to the sea.

a loved b used to love с would love

8. Dave ________________ Molly three times if she wanted to go out with him.

а asked b used to ask с would ask

9. I _______________ questions in class. I was too shy.

a never asked b never used to ask с would never ask