23. When her husband was in the army, Mary ______ to him twice a week.

A. was reading B. wrote C. was written D. had written

24. I couldn't cut the grass because the lawn mower ______ a few days previously.

A. broke down B. has been broken

C. had broken down D. breaks down

25. I have never played badminton before. This is the first time I _____ to play.

A. try B. tried C. have tried D. am trying

26. Since _______, I have heard nothing from him.

A. he had left B. he left C. he has left D. he was left

27. After I _______ lunch, I looked for my bag.

A. had B. had had C. have has D. have had

28. By the end of next year, George _______ English for two years.

A. will have learned B. will learn

C. has learned D. would learn