INSTRUCTIONS: Edit the following paragraphs for consistent verb tense only. Identify the tense in the first sentence as present or past, and then make the remaining sentences match that tense.Tense __________ Turtle, my shelled friend who lives in my back yard, is a pet that requires little responsibility. I usually know where to find him when I had a garden because he spent his time there munching on tomatoes, enjoying crisp lettuce, and keeping the carrot tops pruned. When I pick tomatoes, I was careful to leave the ones close to the ground for him, and he left the others for me. I seldom feed him because he often eats bugs he finds on the ground. However, sometimes when I worked in the tomato plants, he came out and just looked at me. I talk to him and ask him how he is doing.

Question

Though he does not answer me, I know that he is waiting for me to feed him his favorite food, a banana. When he tired of the garden, he walked around inspecting the yard. Once in a while I find him in the swimming pool or the fish pond, and I take him out and put him back in the garden. When things just get too tough or when he gets tired, he went underground and rests for days, weeks, or sometimes even months. During the time he takes these long naps, I patiently wait for my gardening partner to emerge.

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Tense    present   (Verbs that need to be changed are in boldface.)

     Turtle, my shelled friend who lives in my back yard, is a pet that requires little responsibility. I usually know where to find him when I have a garden because he spends his time there munching on tomatoes, enjoying crisp lettuce, and keeping the carrot tops pruned. When I pick tomatoes, I am careful to leave the ones close to the ground for him, and he leaves the others for me. I seldom feed him because he often eats bugs he finds on the ground. However, sometimes when I work in the tomato plants, he comes out and just looks at me. I talk to him and ask him how he is doing. Though he does not answer me, I know that he is waiting for me to feed him his favorite food, a banana. When he tires of the garden, he walks around inspecting the yard. Once in a while I find him in the swimming pool or the fish pond, and I take him out and put him back in the garden. When things just get too tough or when he gets tired, he goes underground and rests for days, weeks, or sometimes even months. During the time he takes these long naps, I patiently wait for my gardening partner to emerge.