4. Grammar: Past Simple vs Present Perfect. Choose the correct item.

4. Grammar: Past Simple vs Present Perfect

Here are the correct choices for each sentence, with explanations:

1. My mum and dad went just to the cinema. (Use Past Simple for a finished action at a specific past time, "just" implies a completed action in the recent past.)
2. I cooked my favourite dish yesterday. (Use Past Simple because "yesterday" indicates a specific finished time in the past.)
3. We have bought already fresh fruit from the market. (Use Present Perfect because "already" often indicates an action completed at an unspecified time before now, and the result is relevant now. Alternatively, "We bought already fresh fruit from the market." is also acceptable if the focus is on the past event.) However, "have bought" emphasizes the present relevance or completion. If the market trip was a specific event in the past, "bought" would be used. Given "already", Present Perfect is more common. Let's stick with Present Perfect.
4. She had breakfast by 7.30. (Use Past Simple as "by 7.30" refers to a specific point in the past. If it were "She has had breakfast by 7.30 AM today", Present Perfect would be used. But "by 7.30" without context usually implies a past specific time.)
5. She made some fresh orange juice. Would anyone like some? (Use Past Simple for a completed action in the past. The subsequent offer "Would anyone like some?" is a present action, but the making of the juice is a past event.)
6. Were you ever to a fish & chips shop? (Use Past Simple "Were you ever..." to ask about a past experience at a specific time or in the past generally.) The structure "Have you ever been...?" is more common for asking about lifetime experiences, but "Were you ever..." is also grammatically possible for a past period. Given the choice, "Were" fits better if referring to a specific past instance or period. If it implies lifetime experience, "Have you ever been" would be the correct Present Perfect form. Let's assume it's asking about a past specific event. The correct Present Perfect form is "Have you ever been". Let's re-evaluate: The question is about choosing between Past Simple and Present Perfect. "Have you ever been" is the standard way to ask about lifetime experiences. So, "Have been" is the correct choice here.
7. I was never at the Chinese restaurant. (Use Past Simple to state a fact about a past period or state. "I have never been at the Chinese restaurant" is also correct and emphasizes the current lack of experience.) Given the choice, "was" refers to a past state.
8. We had no time for cooking, so we ordered takeaway. (Use Past Simple because the reason "had no time" refers to a specific past situation, and the consequence "ordered" is also a completed past action.)

Answer:

1. went
2. cooked
3. have bought
4. had
5. made
6. Have been
7. was
8. ordered