6. Hardly ______ the minister finished his speech when the earthquake ______ the stadium.
(A) had, shook
(B) have, shake
(C) has, is shaking
(D) had, was shaking
Answer:
(A) had, shook
Explanation:
In English grammar, the construction “Hardly had + Subject + V3… when + Subject + V2” is standard.
7. My father ______ in ONGC for 35 years by January 2023.
(A) was working
(B) has been working
(C) worked
(D) will have been working
Answer:
(D) will have been working
Explanation:
The future perfect continuous tense is used here because it refers to an ongoing action that will be completed over a duration (“for 35 years”) by a specific time in the future (“by January 2023”).
8. My parents ______ for 30 years.
(A) marry
(B) married
(C) have been married
(D) will marry
Answer:
(C) have been married
Explanation:
The present perfect tense is used for a state that began in the past and continues into the present, accompanied by the duration “for 30 years”.
9. I ______ the holiday enormously even though the weather ______ disappointing.
(A) enjoy/would have been
(B) had enjoyed/has been
(C) have enjoy/was being
(D) enjoyed/was
Answer:
(D) enjoyed/was
Explanation:
Both clauses describe states or actions completed in the past, making the simple past tense appropriate for both verbs.
10. My plane ______ at five p.m. on Monday. I don’t need to call a taxi, my friend ______ me to the airport.
(A) was leaving/has taken
(B) is leaving/ will take
(C) leaves/is going to take
(D) will leave/takes
Answer:
(C) leaves/is going to take
Explanation:
“Leaves” is in the simple present, used for scheduled future events like flights. “Is going to take” indicates a planned future intention.
