Worked example
Yesterday, we opened the gate and ___ into the garden. Choose the consistent past tense.
Answer & why
Answer: walked
Yesterday establishes a completed past time, so walked matches opened.
Grade 5 · Reading & language
Keep a past-tense account consistent
Correct an unintended shift from past to present in a short account of completed events.
6 authored questions + worked example
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All questions
All 6 authored questions for this skill.
Question 1
At the last meeting, we listened and ___ questions. Choose the consistent past tense.
- will ask
- asking
- asked
- ask
A hint
Keep verbs in the past when they describe the same completed time; change tense only when time or meaning changes.
Answer & why
Answer: asked
Asked describes the second completed action at that meeting.
Question 2
On Monday, the team measured the shelf and ___ a plan. Choose the consistent past tense.
- drew
- drawing
- will draw
- draws
A hint
Keep verbs in the past when they describe the same completed time; change tense only when time or meaning changes.
Answer & why
Answer: drew
Drew is the past tense of draw and agrees with the completed time frame.
Question 3
During yesterday’s walk, I saw a robin and ___ its song. Choose the consistent past tense.
- hearing
- heard
- hear
- will hear
A hint
Keep verbs in the past when they describe the same completed time; change tense only when time or meaning changes.
Answer & why
Answer: heard
Heard matches the past action saw during yesterday’s walk.
Question 4
Last week, Mina found a coin and ___ it to the office. Choose the consistent past tense.
- will take
- takes
- taking
- took
A hint
Keep verbs in the past when they describe the same completed time; change tense only when time or meaning changes.
Answer & why
Answer: took
Took is the past-tense form describing the completed trip to the office.
Question 5
Yesterday, we opened the gate and ___ into the garden. Choose the consistent past tense.
- will walk
- walked
- walk
- walking
A hint
Keep verbs in the past when they describe the same completed time; change tense only when time or meaning changes.
Answer & why
Answer: walked
Yesterday establishes a completed past time, so walked matches opened.
Question 6
Last night, Jo read the note and ___ the window. Choose the consistent past tense.
- closing
- closes
- closed
- will close
A hint
Keep verbs in the past when they describe the same completed time; change tense only when time or meaning changes.
Answer & why
Answer: closed
Both events occurred last night; closed keeps them in past tense.