7. Choose the correct words. A few years ago, there (1) was / were a lot of armed robberies in the south of England. While detectives were looking (2) down / for clues, they (3) found / were finding some gold paint on a tree. They (4) discover / discovered that this colour (5) was / were common on Austin Allegro cars. When the police visited Malcolm Fairley’s house in London, he (6) was washing / washed his car. It was a gold Austin Allegro! The police arrested Malcolm, and he (7) goes / went to prison. Now he (8) is serving / serves a life sentence for armed robbery.

Перевод задания: Выберите правильные слова.

A few years ago, there were a lot of armed robberies in the south of England. While detectives were looking for clues, they found some gold paint on a tree. They discovered that this colour was common on Austin Allegro cars. When the police visited Malcolm Fairley’s house in London, he was washing his car. It was a gold Austin Allegro! The police arrested Malcolm, and he went to prison. Now he is serving a life sentence for armed robbery.

Несколько лет назад на юге Англии произошло много вооружённых ограблений. Пока детективы искали улики, они обнаружили на дереве золотую краску. Они выяснили, что этот цвет был распространён у автомобилей Austin Allegro. Когда полиция посетила дом Малкольма Фэрли в Лондоне, он мыл свою машину. Это был золотой Austin Allegro! Полиция арестовала Малкольма, и он отправился в тюрьму. Сейчас он отбывает пожизненный срок за вооружённое ограбление.

Используем were с множественным числом robberies; look for означает «искать». Нашли и выяснили — завершённые действия в Past Simple; действие, происходившее во время визита, — Past Continuous. Сейчас он отбывает срок — Present Continuous.