A Story from Yesterday

Study the questions and tasks

Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.

Practice level

A2. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.

Question formats

Cloze (dropdown)

How to approach this practice

Read the complete context. Check both the meaning and the grammar, including word forms, collocations and links between sentences.

1. Question 1 · Cloze (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Choose the best option for each gap: I had finished work and was on my usual route. Yesterday I 1___ home when it 2___ to rain. The weather changed much faster than I expected.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. am walking
   2. walk
   3. was walking
   4. were walking

   Choices for blank 2

   1. starts
   2. start
   3. starting
   4. started
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   was walking

   Blank 2

   started

   Past continuous gives the ongoing walk; past simple gives the interruption.

2. Question 2 · Cloze (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Choose the best option for each gap: I had left home in bright sunshine that morning. I 1___ an umbrella, so I 2___ into a small cafe. It was the nearest place where I could stay dry.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. didn't have
   2. doesn't have
   3. not had
   4. didn't had

   Choices for blank 2

   1. going
   2. went
   3. gone
   4. go
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   didn't have

   Blank 2

   went

   Did not takes have; went is the past of go.

3. Question 3 · Cloze (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Choose the best option for each gap: The cafe was almost empty when I arrived. There 1___ only two people inside. They 2___ near the window. There was a free table beside the door.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. were
   2. is
   3. was
   4. be

   Choices for blank 2

   1. was sitting
   2. are sit
   3. sits
   4. were sitting
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   were

   Blank 2

   were sitting

   Two people takes were, including in the past continuous.

4. Question 4 · Cloze (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Choose the best option for each gap: The waiter noticed that I was uncomfortable. The waiter 1___ me a towel because my coat was very 2___. His kindness made me feel much better.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. give
   2. given
   3. giving
   4. gave

   Choices for blank 2

   1. wetting
   2. wetness
   3. wetly
   4. wet
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   gave

   Blank 2

   wet

   Gave is the completed past action; wet is an adjective.

5. Question 5 · Cloze (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Choose the best option for each gap: There was no reason to rush back into the street. I ordered a cup 1___ tea and waited 2___ the rain stopped. I read a magazine while I finished my drink.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. by
   2. of
   3. to
   4. at

   Choices for blank 2

   1. since to
   2. during
   3. until
   4. while of
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   of

   Blank 2

   until

   Cup of tea is the noun phrase; until gives the endpoint of waiting.

6. Question 6 · Cloze (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Choose the best option for each gap: After about half an hour, the weather improved. When I 1___ outside again, the sun 2___ shining. I no longer needed to find shelter.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. stepped
   2. steps
   3. stepping
   4. step

   Choices for blank 2

   1. was
   2. be
   3. is
   4. were
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   stepped

   Blank 2

   was

   Stepped names the short event; was shining gives its background.

7. Question 7 · Cloze (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   Choose the best option for each gap: The unexpected stop had changed my journey. I finally 1___ home at five, much 2___ than usual. I told my family about the helpful waiter.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. got
   2. gets
   3. getting
   4. get

   Choices for blank 2

   1. later
   2. more later
   3. late
   4. latest
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   got

   Blank 2

   later

   Got is past get; than requires comparative later.

What to review next

Explain why each answer fits the meaning and structure. Record useful phrases and write a new example using each pattern you found difficult.

A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.