Past Perfect Continuous – B1 Grammar practice (B1)Page 1 of 5
1We ___ (drive) for two hours when we ran out of petrol.
1had been driving“We had been driving (drive) for two hours when we ran out of petrol.”
2They ___ the same scene for three hours. (had been filming / had filmed)
2had been filming“They had been filming the same scene for three hours.”
3By the end of the week, Oliver ___ two books. (had been reading / had read)
3had read“By the end of the week, Oliver had read two books.”
4When Peter got up, Mrs Hardy ___ for two hours. (bake)
4had been baking“When Peter got up, Mrs Hardy had been baking for two hours. (bake)”
5It was a great party. Alison ___ (plan) it for weeks.
5had been planning“It was a great party. Alison had been planning (plan) it for weeks.”
Past Perfect Continuous – B1 Grammar practice (B1)Page 2 of 5
6They had been filming the same scene for three hours. Was the action completed or ongoing? (Completed / Ongoing)
6Ongoing“They had been filming the same scene for three hours. Was the action completed or ongoing? – Ongoing”
7Before he got to level five, he ___ the game for four hours. (had been playing / had played)
7had been playing“Before he got to level five, he had been playing the game for four hours.”
8Harry and his dad ___ all afternoon. (paint)
8had been painting“Harry and his dad had been painting all afternoon. (paint)”
9We ___ (stand) outside their house for an hour before they arrived.
9had been standing“We had been standing (stand) outside their house for an hour before they arrived.”
10She knew his name because she ___ him before. (had been meeting / had met)
10had met“She knew his name because she had met him before.”
Past Perfect Continuous – B1 Grammar practice (B1)Page 3 of 5
11She ___ the piano for two hours before the recital started. (had been practising / had practised)
11had been practising“She had been practising the piano for two hours before the recital started.”
12We ___ since 7 a.m. and we needed to have a break. (drive)
12had been driving“We had been driving since 7 a.m. and we needed to have a break. (drive)”
13Brian had an impressive toy car collection. He ___ (collect) them since he was a boy.
13had been collecting“Brian had an impressive toy car collection. He had been collecting (collect) them since he was a boy.”
14She knew his name because she had met him before. What is the focus of this action? (Duration / Result)
14Result“She knew his name because she had met him before. What is the focus of this action? – Result”
15It ___ all night, so the streets were covered in snow. (had been snowing / had snowed)
15had been snowing“It had been snowing all night, so the streets were covered in snow.”
Past Perfect Continuous – B1 Grammar practice (B1)Page 4 of 5
16I ___ for a new flat for three months. (look)
16had been looking“I had been looking for a new flat for three months. (look)”
17They ___ (save) for that trip since last October.
17had been saving“They had been saving (save) for that trip since last October.”
18The phone ___ six times before they answered it. (had been ringing / had rung)
18had rung“The phone had rung six times before they answered it.”
19I ___ my homework by the time my friends arrived. (had been finishing / had finished)
19had finished“I had finished my homework by the time my friends arrived.”
20The match finished at 5.30. They ___ for two hours. (play)
20had been playing“The match finished at 5.30. They had been playing for two hours. (play)”
Past Perfect Continuous – B1 Grammar practice (B1)Page 5 of 5
21Driving to work was difficult as it ___ (snow) all night.
21had been snowing“Driving to work was difficult as it had been snowing (snow) all night.”
22The phone had rung six times before they answered it. What is the focus of this action? (Duration / Result)
22Result“The phone had rung six times before they answered it. What is the focus of this action? – Result”
23The baby ___ for an hour before the parents calmed him down. (had been crying / had cried)
23had been crying“The baby had been crying for an hour before the parents calmed him down.”
24By 10 p.m., I ___ three chapters of my English book. (read)
24had read“By 10 p.m., I had read three chapters of my English book. (read)”