Question

Grammar and Usage
mixed tenses: discourse level
A. This passage has not been edited. There is one error in each line. Underline the error,
correct the tense and write the answer in the space provided.
On Monday, just as I am trying to wind down after a long day at work,
1.
was trying
the telephone rings. "Is that you, Sumita?" someone asked on the phone.
2.
"Yes, this is me," I was replying. "This is Susan. I need to talk to you right now,"
3.
she said, sounding desperate. Susan was a quiet girl who never wants to disturb
4.
her friends, so I know that this was something important. "Of course, Susan," I said,
5.
"I am not hearing from you for over a month. Is everything all right?"
6.
"Oh, I'm fine," she said. "But I am needing a favour from you, some urgent help.
7.
You see, I rode down a deserted lane this afternoon when I saw a cat and its kittens
8.
in distress. I don't know if they are abandoned by someone but I felt I must do
9.
something to help. You know a lot about cats, so I think I would ask you for
10.
advice." "Of course. Anytime, Susan. In fact, I was volunteering at a cat shelter
11.
for six weeks now and are really enjoying the work. I will certainly help."
12.​

Answer 1

Answer:

error

1. rings

2.was replying

3.wants

4.know

5.hearing

6.needing

7.rode

8. ---

9.would

10. was

11.are

Explanation:

correction

1.ringed

2.replied

3. wanted

4. knew

5.heard

6. will need

7.was riding

8. -----

9. could

10. I am volunteering

11. I'm

Answer 2

Answer:

1 was trying

2 ringed

3 replied

4 wanted