Past Simple or Present Perfect - English Quiz

Do you know when to use the past simple instead of the present perfect?

Vague Gesture
I'm Not Sure!. Jamie Grill / Tetra images / Getty Images
1. Jack _____ (live) in Boston for the past 15 years.
2. Janet ____ (work) for Smith and Brothers before she came to work for us.
3. Dad, ____ (you/finish) reading the paper yet?
4. I would love to visit Prague sometime. Unfortunately, I ____ (be/never) there.
5. Peter _____ (play) Tennis for five years when he _____ (be) at school.
6. Can you help me? I _____ (finish) my homework, but I still don't understand number seven.
7. I _____ (work) in Italy for five years. I ____ (begin) work as soon as I arrived.
8. I'm afraid I'm not hungry. I _____ (eat/already).
9. When Jack was at school, he _____ (learn) to play the saxophone. He _____ (play) it ever since.
10. Could you give me some advice? I _____ (buy) this sweater at Macy's yesterday. Do you think I should take it back?
11. Maria lives in Boston. Before she _____ (move) here, she ____ (live) in Seattle for three years.
12. Peter ____ (go) to Paris last year. That means that he ____ (be) to Paris three times!
13. Just a moment! I _____ (not think) of a good idea yet!
14. Maria _____ (believe) that for ages!
15. How long _____ (you/live) there before coming here?
16. She _____ (write) the email but doesn't know how to send it.
17. I ____ (just/have) something done to my hair. Do you like it?
18. Hurry up! The concert _____ (begin) and we are late.
19. Madonna _____ (record) many albums and will probably make many more.
20. Nat King Cole _____ (record) many albums during his wonderful career.
Past Simple or Present Perfect - English Quiz
You got: % Correct. You Understand the Difference!
I got You Understand the Difference!. Past Simple or Present Perfect - English Quiz
You know your English!. Andrew Rich / Vetta / Getty Images

You've got a great understanding of the differences between the past simple and present perfect tense in English. Congratulations and keep up the good work!

Past Simple or Present Perfect - English Quiz
You got: % Correct. You Understand a Lot, But...
I got You Understand a Lot, But.... Past Simple or Present Perfect - English Quiz
You've done well on your lessons. Anton Violin / Moment / Getty Images

You understand many of the differences between the present perfect and the past simple, but you still need to brush up on some of the rules. Good work!

Past Simple or Present Perfect - English Quiz
You got: % Correct. You'll Need to Review
I got You'll Need to Review. Past Simple or Present Perfect - English Quiz
Keep working on your studies.. Frank and Helena / Cultura / Getty Images

You'll need to review the past simple and present perfect carefully. Remember that the present perfect always has some sort of connection with the present, whereas the past simple happens at a specific time in the past.