Correct Tense - SEBA HSLC Exam Question Answers - English Grammar - Class 10 - Last 30 Years
Hello, dear! I’m sharing a compilation of correct tense-related questions and answers from the past 30 years of SEBA HSLC exams from 1995-2024. Whether you're a student, teacher, or language lover, this post will greatly help you.
Tense refers to the grammatical category that indicates the time of an action or state described by a verb. It helps to convey when an action occurred or will occur in the present, past, or future.
For example: "She is singing" (present tense), "He sang" (past tense), "They will sing" (future tense).
Q. Use the verbs in brackets in correct tense forms.
HSLC 1995
(a) He (leave) for Europe last Friday.
Answer: He left for Europe last Friday.
(b) You (learn) English for six years now.
Answer: You have been learning English for six years now.
(c) He went out after he (lock) the door.
Answer: He went out after he had locked the door.
HSLC 1996
(a) I (write) this letter since morning.
Answer: I have been writing this letter since morning.
(b) You (fail) unless you work harder.
Answer: You will fail unless you work harder.
(c) I have not seen him since we (leave) school.
Answer: I have not seen him since we left school.
HSLC 1997
(a) If you (neglect) your studies, you will fail.
Answer: If you neglect your studies, you will fail.
(b) I (not meet) him for a week.
Answer: I have not met him for a week.
(c) The bus usually (arrive) here at 6 o’clock.
Answer: The bus usually arrives here at 6 o’clock.
HSLC 1998
(a) When he entered my room, I (write) a letter.
Answer: When he entered my room, I was writing a letter.
(b) The match (start) before we reached the field.
Answer: The match had started before we reached the field.
(c) It is time you (go) home.
Answer: It is time you went home.
HSLC 1999
(a) We shall wait here until he (come) back.
Answer: We shall wait here until he comes back.
(b) I (not take) my breakfast yet.
Answer: I have not taken my breakfast yet.
(c) When he came in, I (write) a letter.
Answer: When he came in, I was writing a letter.
HSLC 2000
(a) He (walk) across the road when a scooter hit him.
Answer: He was walking across the road when a scooter hit him.
(b) I wish I (accept) the job.
Answer: I wish I had accepted the job.
(c) Hurry up, the taxi (wait).
Answer: Hurry up, the taxi is waiting.
HSLC 2001
(a) They (live) in Delhi for ten years.
Answer: They have been living in Delhi for ten years.
(b) She died after she (suffer) for five years.
Answer: She died after she had suffered for five years.
(c) Ten years (pass) since I met you last.
Answer: Ten years have passed since I met you last.
(d) When he came, it (be) all over.
Answer: When he came, it was all over.
(e) He (stay) here until you return.
Answer: He will stay here until you return.
HSLC 2002
(a) When he started for office, it still (rain).
Answer: When he started for office, it still was raining.
(b) I (not meet) my friend for ages.
Answer: I have not met my friend for ages.
(c) If you (request) him, he would have helped you.
Answer: If you had requested him, he would have helped you.
(d) She (work) in this school since 1990.
Answer: She has been working in this school since 1990.
(e) We two (be) friends for long.
Answer: We two have been friends for long.
HSLC 2003
(a) We (know) each other for the last ten years.
Answer: We have known each other for the last ten years.
(b) If I (know) his address, I would have contacted him.
Answer: If I had known his address, I would have contacted him.
(c) Look, there (go) the bus.
Answer: Look, there goes the bus.
HSLC 2004
(a) He cannot play in the match as he (injure) his foot.
Answer: He cannot play in the match as he has injured his foot.
(b) I wish I (can) help you.
Answer: I wish I could help you.
(c) If I (be) you, I should not accept the post.
Answer: If I were you, I should not accept the post.
HSLC 2005
(a) I hurried back to the room (feel) very nervous, for it is much easier (steal) something than to return it undetected. I (open) the door quietly, then (stand) in the doorway in clouded moonlight. Anil was still asleep. I (creep) to the head of the bed and my hand (come) up with the notes.
Answer: I hurried back to the room feeling very nervous, for it is much easier to steal something than to return it undetected. I opened the door quietly, then stood in the doorway in a clouded moonlight. Anil was still asleep. I crept to the head of the bed and my hand came up with the notes.
HSLC 2006
(a) Father is not at home, he (go) out.
Answer: Father is not at home, he has gone out.
(b) He (reach) the station before the train departed.
Answer: He had reached the station before the train departed.
(c) It’s time we (return) home.
Answer: It’s time we returned home.
HSLC 2007
(a) The new teacher (teach) us now for six months.
Answer: The new teacher has been teaching us now for six months.
(b) Mohan (reach) home before it started raining.
Answer: Mohan had reached home before it started raining.
(c) He told us that he never (tell) a lie.
Answer: He told us that he never told a lie.
HSLC 2008
(a) Our teacher (go) to London last year.
Answer: Our teacher went to London last year.
(b) John (write) a number of short stories.
Answer: John has written a number of short stories.
(c) We should never (tell) a lie.
Answer: We should never tell a lie.
HSLC 2009
(a) The lady slipped while she (climb) the steps.
Answer: The lady slipped while she was climbing the steps.
(b) We shall wait here until he (come) back.
Answer: We shall wait here until he comes back.
(c) He talks as if he (know) everything.
Answer: He talks as if he knew everything.
HSLC 2010
(a) He jumped off the bus while it (move).
Answer: He jumped off the bus while it was moving.
(b) He said that he (post) the letter just then.
Answer: He said that he had posted the letter just then.
(c) He (be) a teacher since 1994.
Answer: He has been a teacher since 1994.
HSLC 2011
(a) We (know) each other for five years.
Answer: We have known each other for five years.
(b) The other day I (meet) a magician in the bazaar.
Answer: The other day I met a magician in the bazaar.
HSLC 2012
(a) She said that she (will) help her friends.
Answer: She said that she would help her friends.
(b) The boys (play) in the garden when the tree fell down.
Answer: The boys were in the garden when the tree fell down.
HSLC 2013
(a) I wish I (be) a king.
Answer: I wish I were a king.
(b) The boy (sleep), don’t disturb him.
Answer: The boy is sleeping, don’t disturb him.
HSLC 2014
(a) She (read) a book when I saw her.
Answer: She was reading a book when I saw her.
(b) She (be) a teacher since 2002.
Answer: She has been a teacher since 2002.
HSLC 2015
(a) The bell rang after we (finish) our work.
Answer: The bell rang after we has finished our work.
(b) Please ring me up as soon as he (come).
Answer: Please ring me up as soon as he comes.
HSLC 2016
(a) It is time we (go) to bed.
Answer: It is time we went to bed.
(b) She behaves as if she (know) everything.
Answer: She behaves as if she knew everything.
HSLC 2017
(a) If it (rain) we shall not go out.
Answer: If it rains, we shall not go out.
(b) We (know) each other for the last ten years.
Answer: We have known each other for the last ten years.
HSLC 2018
If I (be) you, I would not have called him again.
Answer: If I were you, I would not have called him again.
The principal is not in his room. He (go) out.
Answer: The principal is not in his room. He has gone out.
HSLC 2019
(a) They (live) in Delhi for ten years.
Answer: They have been in Delhi for ten years.
(b) When he came it (be) all over.
Answer: When he came it was all over.
(c) He (stay) here until you return.
Answer: He will stay here until you return.
HSLC 2020
(a) I (go) there before she went.
Answer: I had gone there before she went.
(b) Ten years (pass) since I met you last.
Answer: Ten years have passed since I met you last.
(c ) When she came, I (write) a letter.
Answer: When she came, I was writing a letter.
HSLC 2021
(Special Exam)
(a) Please call me as soon as the Cricket team (arrive).
Answer: Please call me as soon as the Cricket team arrives.
(b) He (go) to the function yesterday.
Answer: He went to the function yesterday.
( c) The glass (break) by somebody last evening.
Answer: The glass was broken by somebody last evening.
HSLC 2022
(a) He (ring) the bell when I was reading.
Answer: He rang the bell when I was reading.
(b) Nobody (know) where he lives.
Answer: Nobody knows where he lives.
( c) The guests (arrive) before the dinner was set.
Answer: The guests had arrived before the dinner was set.
HSLC 2024
(a) Hari (love) to read novels.
Answer: Hari loves to read novels.
(b) We (live) in Guwahati since last January.
Answer: We have been living in Guwahati since last January.
Q. Use the verbs in brackets in correct tense forms.
HSLC 1995
(a) He (leave) for Europe last Friday.
Answer: He left for Europe last Friday.
(b) You (learn) English for six years now.
Answer: You have been learning English for six years now.
(c) He went out after he (lock) the door.
Answer: He went out after he had locked the door.
HSLC 1996
(a) I (write) this letter since morning.
Answer: I have been writing this letter since morning.
(b) You (fail) unless you work harder.
Answer: You will fail unless you work harder.
(c) I have not seen him since we (leave) school.
Answer: I have not seen him since we left school.
HSLC 1997
(a) If you (neglect) your studies, you will fail.
Answer: If you neglect your studies, you will fail.
(b) I (not meet) him for a week.
Answer: I have not met him for a week.
(c) The bus usually (arrive) here at 6 o’clock.
Answer: The bus usually arrives here at 6 o’clock.
HSLC 1998
(a) When he entered my room, I (write) a letter.
Answer: When he entered my room, I was writing a letter.
(b) The match (start) before we reached the field.
Answer: The match had started before we reached the field.
(c) It is time you (go) home.
Answer: It is time you went home.
HSLC 1999
(a) We shall wait here until he (come) back.
Answer: We shall wait here until he comes back.
(b) I (not take) my breakfast yet.
Answer: I have not taken my breakfast yet.
(c) When he came in, I (write) a letter.
Answer: When he came in, I was writing a letter.
HSLC 2000
(a) He (walk) across the road when a scooter hit him.
Answer: He was walking across the road when a scooter hit him.
(b) I wish I (accept) the job.
Answer: I wish I had accepted the job.
(c) Hurry up, the taxi (wait).
Answer: Hurry up, the taxi is waiting.
HSLC 2001
(a) They (live) in Delhi for ten years.
Answer: They have been living in Delhi for ten years.
(b) She died after she (suffer) for five years.
Answer: She died after she had suffered for five years.
(c) Ten years (pass) since I met you last.
Answer: Ten years have passed since I met you last.
(d) When he came, it (be) all over.
Answer: When he came, it was all over.
(e) He (stay) here until you return.
Answer: He will stay here until you return.
HSLC 2002
(a) When he started for office, it still (rain).
Answer: When he started for office, it still was raining.
(b) I (not meet) my friend for ages.
Answer: I have not met my friend for ages.
(c) If you (request) him, he would have helped you.
Answer: If you had requested him, he would have helped you.
(d) She (work) in this school since 1990.
Answer: She has been working in this school since 1990.
(e) We two (be) friends for long.
Answer: We two have been friends for long.
HSLC 2003
(a) We (know) each other for the last ten years.
Answer: We have known each other for the last ten years.
(b) If I (know) his address, I would have contacted him.
Answer: If I had known his address, I would have contacted him.
(c) Look, there (go) the bus.
Answer: Look, there goes the bus.
HSLC 2004
(a) He cannot play in the match as he (injure) his foot.
Answer: He cannot play in the match as he has injured his foot.
(b) I wish I (can) help you.
Answer: I wish I could help you.
(c) If I (be) you, I should not accept the post.
Answer: If I were you, I should not accept the post.
HSLC 2005
(a) I hurried back to the room (feel) very nervous, for it is much easier (steal) something than to return it undetected. I (open) the door quietly, then (stand) in the doorway in clouded moonlight. Anil was still asleep. I (creep) to the head of the bed and my hand (come) up with the notes.
Answer: I hurried back to the room feeling very nervous, for it is much easier to steal something than to return it undetected. I opened the door quietly, then stood in the doorway in a clouded moonlight. Anil was still asleep. I crept to the head of the bed and my hand came up with the notes.
HSLC 2006
(a) Father is not at home, he (go) out.
Answer: Father is not at home, he has gone out.
(b) He (reach) the station before the train departed.
Answer: He had reached the station before the train departed.
(c) It’s time we (return) home.
Answer: It’s time we returned home.
HSLC 2007
(a) The new teacher (teach) us now for six months.
Answer: The new teacher has been teaching us now for six months.
(b) Mohan (reach) home before it started raining.
Answer: Mohan had reached home before it started raining.
(c) He told us that he never (tell) a lie.
Answer: He told us that he never told a lie.
HSLC 2008
(a) Our teacher (go) to London last year.
Answer: Our teacher went to London last year.
(b) John (write) a number of short stories.
Answer: John has written a number of short stories.
(c) We should never (tell) a lie.
Answer: We should never tell a lie.
HSLC 2009
(a) The lady slipped while she (climb) the steps.
Answer: The lady slipped while she was climbing the steps.
(b) We shall wait here until he (come) back.
Answer: We shall wait here until he comes back.
(c) He talks as if he (know) everything.
Answer: He talks as if he knew everything.
HSLC 2010
(a) He jumped off the bus while it (move).
Answer: He jumped off the bus while it was moving.
(b) He said that he (post) the letter just then.
Answer: He said that he had posted the letter just then.
(c) He (be) a teacher since 1994.
Answer: He has been a teacher since 1994.
HSLC 2011
(a) We (know) each other for five years.
Answer: We have known each other for five years.
(b) The other day I (meet) a magician in the bazaar.
Answer: The other day I met a magician in the bazaar.
HSLC 2012
(a) She said that she (will) help her friends.
Answer: She said that she would help her friends.
(b) The boys (play) in the garden when the tree fell down.
Answer: The boys were in the garden when the tree fell down.
HSLC 2013
(a) I wish I (be) a king.
Answer: I wish I were a king.
(b) The boy (sleep), don’t disturb him.
Answer: The boy is sleeping, don’t disturb him.
HSLC 2014
(a) She (read) a book when I saw her.
Answer: She was reading a book when I saw her.
(b) She (be) a teacher since 2002.
Answer: She has been a teacher since 2002.
HSLC 2015
(a) The bell rang after we (finish) our work.
Answer: The bell rang after we has finished our work.
(b) Please ring me up as soon as he (come).
Answer: Please ring me up as soon as he comes.
HSLC 2016
(a) It is time we (go) to bed.
Answer: It is time we went to bed.
(b) She behaves as if she (know) everything.
Answer: She behaves as if she knew everything.
HSLC 2017
(a) If it (rain) we shall not go out.
Answer: If it rains, we shall not go out.
(b) We (know) each other for the last ten years.
Answer: We have known each other for the last ten years.
HSLC 2018
If I (be) you, I would not have called him again.
Answer: If I were you, I would not have called him again.
The principal is not in his room. He (go) out.
Answer: The principal is not in his room. He has gone out.
HSLC 2019
(a) They (live) in Delhi for ten years.
Answer: They have been in Delhi for ten years.
(b) When he came it (be) all over.
Answer: When he came it was all over.
(c) He (stay) here until you return.
Answer: He will stay here until you return.
HSLC 2020
(a) I (go) there before she went.
Answer: I had gone there before she went.
(b) Ten years (pass) since I met you last.
Answer: Ten years have passed since I met you last.
(c ) When she came, I (write) a letter.
Answer: When she came, I was writing a letter.
HSLC 2021
(Special Exam)
(a) Please call me as soon as the Cricket team (arrive).
Answer: Please call me as soon as the Cricket team arrives.
(b) He (go) to the function yesterday.
Answer: He went to the function yesterday.
( c) The glass (break) by somebody last evening.
Answer: The glass was broken by somebody last evening.
HSLC 2022
(a) He (ring) the bell when I was reading.
Answer: He rang the bell when I was reading.
(b) Nobody (know) where he lives.
Answer: Nobody knows where he lives.
( c) The guests (arrive) before the dinner was set.
Answer: The guests had arrived before the dinner was set.
HSLC 2024
(a) Hari (love) to read novels.
Answer: Hari loves to read novels.
(b) We (live) in Guwahati since last January.
Answer: We have been living in Guwahati since last January.
