三、一般现在时考点
一般现在时主要表示现在的特征、状态、经常性动作或客观事实等。如:
1. Months ago we sailed ten thousand miles across this open sea, which _________ the Pacific, and we met no storms. (辽宁卷)
A. was called B. is called C. had been called D. has been called
【分析】答案选 B。因为这是客观事实,故用一般现在时。
注:有关一般现在时的另一个考点是,在时间状语从句和条件状语从句中,要用一般现在时表示将来意义,而不能直接用将来时态。此时要特别注意的是,命题人有可能会设置形式上与状语从句相似且容易混淆的宾语从句作为命题切入点。如:
2. "What would you do if it _________tomorrow?" "We have to carry it on, since we've got everything ready." (全国卷I)
A. rain B. rains C. will rain D. is raining
【分析】答案选 B。即在条件句中用一般现在时表示将来意义。
3. As soon as he comes back, I'll tell him when _________and see him. (北京卷)
A. you will come B. will you come C. you come D. do you come
【分析】答案选 A。when 引导的是宾语从句,不是状语从句。
四、一般过去时考点
一般过去时主要表示过去某时发生的情况或动作(包括过去习惯性的动作)。如:
1. "If the traffic hadn't been so heavy, I could have been back by 6 o'clock." "What a pity! Tina _________ here to see you." (湖南卷)
A. is B. was C. would be D. has been
【分析】答案选 B。尽管上面一句用的是与过去事实相反的虚拟语气,但后面一句谈的却是发生在过去的一件真实情况,故用一般过去时。
2. Scientists think that the continents _________always where they _________ today. (北京卷)
A. aren't; are B. aren't; were C. weren't; are D. weren't; were
【分析】答案选 C。句意是:科学家认为各大陆并非一直在它们现在所处的位置。既然过去的位置与现在的位置不同,所以谈论过去情况用一般过去时。