Let’s practice writing by using what you have learned about how Saul becomes a follower of Jesus, and also the past perfect verb tense. This is part six of Advanced Lesson 3, or you can do it as an individual writing exercise.

Instructions:

For each question, you will see two events. One event came before the other, but both of them happened in the past. Write one sentence that combines both events.

To start, write the past perfect for the event that happened first. Next, write the past simple verb for the event that happened second. Then combine the sentences into one. You may add any kind of time expression, such as “always,” “never,” “already,” and “by the time…”  You can also use a conjunction like “and” or “but” to link your clauses together. If you add “before” or “after” to your sentence, you may not have to use the past perfect.

There can be several ways to write a correct answer. The first one is done for you as an example. You will find some sample answers on page 3 of the PDF.

Writing Exercise

First action:  my sister _____ (fly) to Sidney.
Second action:  she __________ (not be) on a plane before that.
Possible answers:
My sister flew to Sidney last week, but she had never been on a plane before.
My sister had not been on a plane before she flew to Sidney last week.

1. First action: the students ___________ (write) essays last week.
   Second action: the teacher ________ (return) the essays.
   Answer: ______________________________________________________.
2. First action:   John __________ (leave) university.
   Second action:  I ______ (meet) John.
   Answer:_______________________________________________________.
3. First action: Maria __________ (cook) dinner.
   Second action:  John ______ (come) home.
   Answer:_______________________________________________________.
4. First action:  My parents ____________ (eat) dinner.
   Second action: We ________ (arrive) at my parents’ house.
   Answer:________________________________________________________.
5. First action:  Tonio ________ (see) the movie.
   Second action:  Tonio _____________ (not want) to go to the theater.
   Answer:________________________________________________________.
6. First action:  My uncle ____________ (not sleep) well.
   Second action:  He _______ (feel) a little sick.
   Answer:________________________________________________________
   .
7. First action:  Lucrezia _________ (break up) with Jody.
   Second action:  Lucrezia ________ (go) to Japan.
   Answer:________________________________________________________.
8. First action:  I ________ (buy) the tickets online.
   Second action:  We ___________ (not need) to stand in line at the stadium.
   Answer:________________________________________________________.
9. First action: She ________ (buy) a t-shirt.
   Second action:  She ______________ (give) it to me for my birthday.
   Answer:_________________________________________________________.