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SAT Reading & Writing: Verb Tense and Form (Drill 3)

Drill 3 · Reading & Writing · Verb Tense and Form

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About This Drill

SAT Reading & Writing: Verb Tense and Form (Drill 3) is a Reading & Writing practice drill covering Verb Tense and Form. It contains 5 original questions created by Brian Stewart, a Barron's test prep author with over 20 years of tutoring experience.

SAT verb tense and form questions test whether you can select the verb tense that fits the time frame established by context clues and surrounding verbs. This drill includes a range of tense types, from simple past to present perfect to conditional forms.

Questions & Explanations

Text
Since the new traffic signals were installed last spring, the number of accidents at the intersection ________ by nearly 40 percent.

Question 1. Which choice conforms to Standard English?

  • A) declined
  • B) declines
  • C) has declined ✓
  • D) will decline

Explanation: 'Since' + past event signals present perfect. The decline started in the past and continues to be relevant now: 'has declined.'

Text
The expedition team ________ the summit by noon tomorrow if the weather remains favorable.

Question 2. Which choice conforms to Standard English?

  • A) reached
  • B) reaches
  • C) will have reached ✓
  • D) has reached

Explanation: 'By noon tomorrow' = future deadline. Future perfect ('will have reached') for an action completed by a specific future point.

Text
Every summer, the village ________ a festival that draws visitors from across the region.

Question 3. Which choice conforms to Standard English?

  • A) hosted
  • B) hosts ✓
  • C) will have hosted
  • D) had hosted

Explanation: 'Every summer' signals a habitual, recurring action. Simple present ('hosts') is correct for regularly repeated events.

Text
By the time the paramedics arrived, the bystander ________ CPR for several minutes.

Question 4. Which choice conforms to Standard English?

  • A) performs
  • B) performed
  • C) had been performing ✓
  • D) has performed

Explanation: One past event (paramedics arrived) and an earlier ongoing action (CPR). Past perfect progressive ('had been performing') shows the action was in progress before another past event.

Text
The architect ________ the revised blueprints to the city planning office yesterday afternoon.

Question 5. Which choice conforms to Standard English?

  • A) submits
  • B) submitted ✓
  • C) has submitted
  • D) will submit

Explanation: 'Yesterday afternoon' = definite past time. Simple past ('submitted') is correct.