UMIYA OVERSEAS EDUCATION

Grammar work sheets

Session 8 : Present Perfect Tense

Writing Task:

This SOP (Statement of Purpose) is not edited. Try to find the error in the bold words.
Please use Present Perfect Verbs where relevant.

I would like to be considered appropriate for your degree course in zoology starting in October next year. I

feel I am a good candidate for this course as I have always been interested (1) in natural history and even,

as a child (2) I have enjoyed studying animals and insects in my garden. Your science facilities have (3) a

good reputation and I would very much like to be the part of it.

As you already saw (4) in section A of this application. I have a good academic record and I just

received(5) the results of my recent exams, all of which have been excellent (6).

In addition, your university attracts (7) me because I enjoy(8) sports and I have read (9) in your

prospectus about the large number of sports on offer. Last year I have represented (10) my school at

badminton and I played (11) in football teams since I was eleven, I have recently joined (12) a basketball

team which competes at a national level.

I not travel (13) abroad much yet although as a young child I have been to Singapore (14) and Hong Kong

with my family. I realize that I not spent (15) much time away from home up to now, but am keen to

become more independent.

I have applied (16) for the same course at your University. I hope that you found (17) my purpose relevant.

I am well equipped to meet your expectations. I am confident that, if admitted, I would surely satisfy your

expectations and fulfil my ambition.

This letter has some grammatical errors usage. Find them and rewrite the letter.

Write a letter to your colleague about the preparation of the next seminar seek some
advice from him/her.
Dear Paul,

(1) I’ve just received / I’ve just been receiving your message to us all about the seminar on Friday.
(2) I’ve worked/ I’ve been working on my presentation for the last week, and (3) have now
finished/ now finished it, so I am happy to be one of the first to present it. However, (4) I’ve made/
I made an appointment to see the university career advisor immediately after the seminar, so I will
need to leave on time.
I’d like some advice about my presentation. At the last week’s lecture (5) you’ve said/ you said that
we should use visual aids as much as possible. (6) I haven’t found/ I didn’t find anything to use. Is
it essential? (7) I’ve done/ I did lots of presentations before, and I feel OK about this one. In my
presentation (8) I used/ I have been using the overhead projector, and I went to do this again – does
this count as a visual aid?
One last question: (9) I’ve been/ I went to professor Russell’s lecture yesterday, and (10) have been
learning/ learnt quite a lot that is relevant to this course. Is it okay to refer to another course in my
presentation? (11) I’ve been wondering/ I wondered about this – maybe it is better to stick to the
materials and references (12) you’ve given/ you’ve been giving us. I hope you can let me know.

Thanks for your help.

Sunita

Speaking Task

Now answers these questions about yourself.

1. How long have you been to studying English?
2. Hove you studied any other languages? (which ones? For how long?)
3. Have you travelled very much? (Where have you been to?)
4. What have you been to doing to prepare for this exam?
5. How has your life changed over the last ten years?
6. Since when have you been learning English? Why?
7. Have you been to a foreign country before? Where and When?
8. Has your hometown changed over a period of ten years? What has changed?
9. Since when have you been living in your hometown?
10. Have any of your friends travelled to a hill station with you? When and Where?
Speaking Task: Cue Card
Interviewer: What book you read recently? You: ……………………………………….

Interviewer: Have you visited any place near water? Where? You:…………………………..

Interviewer: Describe a restaurant that has been opened recently in your area. You:………………….

Interviewer: Have you visited any hill station lately? Where? You:……………………………….

Use simple present or present perfect passive to complete the sentences.

1. The new technologies ________________________(put forward) by the scientist for the benefit
of the mankind within these last few years.

2. Nowadays, the gadget such as mobile ____________________________(used) widely by all the

users.

3. However, as a routine, the precious time _______________________________(waste) by all.

4. Recently, it ___________________________(see) that the use of mobile is worsening the

success ratio.

5. Using mobile handsets for a long time ___________________________________(to be) a habit

of all from a child to aged.

6. The researchers have found that the brain ___________________________(affect) by this long
usage.

7. To stop this damage, the long time usage of mobile _______________________________(stop).

8. We all know that, the environment ______________________(spoil) by the extreme usage of the
technology; in the same manner, the health shouldn’t be spoiled.

9. It __________________________ (say) that health is wealth.

10. Hence, it _____________________________(prove) that there are negative impact of

technology.
Past simple or present perfect simple

Look at the chart and fill in the gaps with the past simple or present simple of the verbs
in brackets to make true sentences.

Percentage of American Students who have used illegal drugs

1. The chart shows the percentage of American students who _____________________(use) illegal
drugs since 2000.

2. The proportion of female students who have ever use illegal drugs __________________(increase)
by more than 50% since 2000.

3. In 2010, the percentage of American male students reported to be using drugs _____________(rise)
to 50%.

4. From the graph we can see that illegal drug use among American females students __________(rise)
each year.

5. the percentage of male students who use illegal drugs ___________________(be) greater than the
percentage of female students from 2000 to 2010.

6. However, American female students _____________________(overtake) male students in drug

usage since 2010.

7. The overall drug use rate among American students ____________________(grow) each year and
most significant rise ________________(occur) between 2000 and 2005.