Exercise 3: Narrative Tenses – Past Simple, Past Continuous, Past Perfect
Fill in the gaps with the most appropriate narrative tenses of the verbs in brackets: past simple, past continuous or past perfect simple.
This story is based on true events that (happen) many, many years ago in Scotland. One day, Mr Clark (walk) home with a smile on his face. He (carry) something very valuable in his hand: tickets for a long, long journey.
After many years working and saving, Mr Clark (save) all the money he needed to take all his family to the United States. Earlier that afternoon he (buy) all the tickets that now he (hold) in his hand. It was the opportunity of their lives. “The United States of America,” he repeated aloud just to see how nice it (sound) in his ears.
A few days before their departure, Mr Clark’s son (play) in the street when a dog (bite) him. The doctor (go) to their home and <11> (treat) the child’s wound. Then he <12> (hang) a yellow sheet on their front door. That yellow sheet meant that they <13> (just/be) quarantined. They <14> (have) to stay at home for two weeks because of a potential rabies risk.
Five days later, Mr Clark was at the docks. He <15> (leave) the house and now he <16> (watch) their ship leave to the United States without him or his family. When the ship <17> (disappear) in the horizon, he <18> (stand up) and <19> (go) back home, crying.
A few days later, the tragic news spread throughout Scotland - the mighty Titanic <20> (sink), taking hundreds of lives with it.