B1–B2

Present Perfect or Past Simple — Test Questions

Six questions choosing between present perfect and past simple: finished time expressions like last week and ago vs unfinished ones like this year, plus news-then-detail reporting. Part of the Present Perfect Test.

  1. Jane ___ her driving test last week.

    • passed
    • has passed
    • passes
    Show answer

    passed

    'Last week' is a finished, specific time — use past simple.

  2. Caroline ___ a lot of clothes this year.

    • 's bought
    • bought
    • buys
    Show answer

    's bought

    'This year' is still going on — present perfect.

  3. I ___ my Toyota two weeks ago.

    • sold
    • 've sold
    • sell
    Show answer

    sold

    'Ago' means a period before now — past simple.

  4. Steve loves his job. He ___ it since he was twenty-two.

    • 's done
    • did
    • does
    Show answer

    's done

    'Since' + still continuing → present perfect.

  5. Julian ___ his driving test. He took it on Wednesday.

    • has passed
    • passed
    • passes
    Show answer

    has passed

    Giving news → present perfect to introduce, past simple for the detail.

  6. 'George has arrived.' 'Really? When ___ here?'

    • did he get
    • has he got
    • does he get
    Show answer

    did he get

    'When?' asks about a specific past time — past simple in the answer.

Present Perfect or Past Simple?

This block isolates the single most common present perfect confusion: deciding whether a time period counts as finished (past simple) or still open (present perfect). The choice is driven almost entirely by the time expression in the sentence, not by the verb itself.

Finished Time: Last Week, Ago

Expressions like 'last week', 'yesterday' and 'ago' name a specific point that is closed off from the present, so the past simple is required.

Jane passed her driving test last week.
I sold my Toyota two weeks ago.

Unfinished Time: This Year, Since

Expressions like 'this year' name a period that has not ended yet, so the present perfect is required, especially when the situation is still relevant.

Caroline's bought a lot of clothes this year.
Steve loves his job. He's done it since he was twenty-two.

News, Then Detail

English often introduces a piece of news with the present perfect and then gives the specific circumstances with the past simple, especially in answer to a 'when' question.

Julian has passed his driving test. He took it on Wednesday.
"George has arrived." "Really? When did he get here?"

Common Mistakes

✗ Jane has passed her driving test last week. → ✓ Jane passed her driving test last week. ('last week' is finished time)
✗ Caroline bought a lot of clothes this year. → ✓ Caroline's bought a lot of clothes this year. (the year isn't over)
✗ "When has he got here?" → ✓ "When did he get here?"

Last updated: · Satori Editorial

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