Test 3. "Past simple, past perfect, past continuous tenses"

It (be) in 1882 that Dr. Doyle (start) practicing in South sea, where he (continue) for eight years.

 By degrees literature (take) his attention from the preparation of prescriptions

In his spare time he (write) some fifty or sixty stories for many of the best magazines, during these eight years before his name (become) really known.

A small selection of these tales (publish) since, under the title of “The Captain of the Polestar,” and (pass) through some four editions.

In his spare time he (write) some fifty or sixty stories for many of the best magazines, during these eight years before his name (become) really known.

A small selection of these tales (publish) since, under the title of “The Captain of the Polestar,” and  (pass) through some four editions.

He (be) by no means  (forget) the opportunities offered to such a truly inventive mind as his in novel writing.

Once again, the memory of his old master (come) back to him.

 He  (write) “A Study in Scarlet,” which (refuse) by many, but eventually (sale) outright by its author for £25.

Then (come)“Micah Clarke”—a story dealing with the Monmouth Rebellion.

This (be)remarkably successful.

“The Sign of Four“ (come) next, and the publication of this (enhance) the reputation of its author very considerably

Sherlock Holmes (make) his problems distinctly agreeable to the public, which soon (begin) to evince an intense interest in them, and expectantly (watch) and (wait) for every new mystery which the famous detective undertook to solve.