Last year, there was almost no rain in our state. No one knew how long the _______________ would last.

For many months, the weather was unusually hot. The continuous and _______________ heat fried up fields and gardens.

Withered leaves and plants ______________________ in the hot breezes, causing them to shake or tremble. It was a sad sight.

Many apple growers lost their crops. Most of their trees did not ________________. When it was time for the harvest, there were only a few apples to pick

Everyone in my family has a regular household job to do. Mine is keeping the refrigerator clean and ___________. 

I am supposed to check the _______________ of the refrigerator once a week, but last week, I forgot to do it.

She showed _____________ character by standing up for what was right, even when it wasn't popular or easy.

A ______________ odor hit my nose when I opened the door. The odor came from a moldy sandwich that I had forgotten to take to school last week.

Our city park can get very crowded, especially on weekends. All that activity can _________________ people, and quite a few have been hurt.

To cit down on the number of accidents, the mayor has put a park safety ____________ into effect.

Skaters and bicycle riders are required to slow down when they get near a crosswalk.  The rule is intended to get them from  _____________ with people who are trying to get to the other side of the road.

If people follow the rules and stay alert, their chance of being injured is _____________.

Direct speech: "I am a teacher," said John.

Reported speech: John said he _____ a teacher.

Direct speech: "I am going to the store," said Jane.

Reported speech: Jane said she ________ to the store.

Direct speech: "I saw him yesterday," said Tom.

Reported speech: Tom said he ______ him the day before.

Direct speech: "She was going to the doctor," said the man.

Reported speech: The man said she _____ to the doctor.

Direct speech: "He has never been to New York," said the friend.

Reported speech: The friend said he _________________to New York.

Direct speech: "I have been working all day," said Tom.

Reported speech: Tom said he _______ working all day.

Direct speech: "I had bought the cupcakes before I arrived at the party," said Barbara.

Reported speech: Barbara said she _______ the cupcakes before she arrived at the party. 

Direct speech: "I had been exercising before the competition," said the bodybuilder.

Reported speech: The bodybuilder said he _________ before the competition. 

Direct speech: "They will come to the party," said Mary.

Reported speech: Mary said they _______  to the party.

Direct speech: "By May, I will have completed this course," said Martin.

Reported speech: Martin said he ___________ this course by May. 

Direct speech: "I must submit the report by Friday," said Fred.

Reported speech: Fred said he ___________ the report by Friday.

Direct speech: "I can't swim," said Sarah.

Reported speech: Sarah said she _____________. (long form only)

Direct speech: "I may go to the beach this weekend," said Emily.

Reported speech: Emily said she __________ to the beach that weekend.

[Narrative Tenses] As I walked through the forest, I came across a small stream. I stopped to listen to the sound of the water flowing over the rocks, and I realized how peaceful it was here.

In this passage, what function does the verb "walked" serve?

[Narrative Tenses] The plane had been flying for several hours when it finally began its descent into the airport. The passengers could feel the plane descending, and they all began to buckle their seatbelts.

In this passage, what function does the verb "had been flying" serve?

[Narrative Tenses] Mary had always loved to play the piano, and she had been taking lessons since she was a child. She had dreamed of performing in front of a large audience one day, and finally, her dream came true.

In this passage, what function does the verb "had dreamed" serve?

[Narrative Tenses] The sun was shining brightly, and the birds were singing in the trees. Tom decided to take a walk in the park to enjoy the beautiful day.

In this passage, what function does the verb "was shining" serve?

[Narrative Tenses] Jane was feeling very tired after a long day at work. She made herself a cup of tea and settled down on the couch to read a book.

In this passage, what function does the verb "was feeling" serve?

[Narrative Tenses] The storm had been brewing for hours, and the sky was dark with heavy clouds. Suddenly, lightning flashed and thunder shook the windows.

In this passage, what function does the verb "had been brewing" serve?

[Narrative Tenses] Maria ate her dinner at the cafeteria. She then practiced for her upcoming dance recital. Exhausted, she put herself to sleep soon after.

In this passage, what function do the verbs "ate," "practiced," and "put" serve?

[Narrative Tenses] The children were playing in the park when they saw a rainbow in the sky. They ran over to their parents to show them the beautiful colors.

In this passage, what function does the verb "were playing" serve?

[Narrative Tenses] After studying for hours, John decided to take a break and watch a movie. He fell asleep on the couch and woke up hours later, feeling refreshed.

In this passage, what function does the verb "decided" serve?

[Narrative Tenses] Jack had just finished his breakfast and was about to head out the door when his phone rang. It was his boss, telling him that he had to come into work early.

In this passage, what function does the verb "had just finished" serve?

As the sun was beginning to set on the quiet, dusty town, Maria walked along the empty streets, lost in thought. She had just received news that her grandfather had passed away, and memories of him flooded her mind. Suddenly, she heard a rustling in the nearby bushes, causing her to jump in fear. She looked around, but no one was in sight. Just as she started to calm down, a shadowy figure emerged from behind a building. Maria's heart raced as she realized she was being followed.

What's the ongoing background setting in the story?

As the sun was beginning to set on the quiet, dusty town, Maria walked along the empty streets, lost in thought. She had just received news that her grandfather had passed away, and memories of him flooded her mind. Suddenly, she heard a rustling in the nearby bushes, causing her to jump in fear. She looked around, but no one was in sight. Just as she started to calm down, a shadowy figure emerged from behind a building. Maria's heart raced as she realized she was being followed.

What verbs advance the story?

As the sun was beginning to set on the quiet, dusty town, Maria walked along the empty streets, lost in thought. She had just received news that her grandfather had passed away, and memories of him flooded her mind. Suddenly, she heard a rustling in the nearby bushes, causing her to jump in fear. She looked around, but no one was in sight. Just as she started to calm down, a shadowy figure emerged from behind a building. Maria's heart raced as she realized she was being followed.

What event occurred before the main action in the sentence to give background information?

Narrative - Present Tense: I step out of the car and feel the cold air hit my face. The sky is dark, and the stars twinkle above me. I glance around the empty parking lot, my heart racing. Suddenly, I hear footsteps behind me, and I turn to see a shadowy figure approaching.

Narrative - Past Tense: I knew that something was wrong as soon as I stepped out of the car. The air was cold and the sky was dark, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched. I looked around the empty parking lot, my heart racing. That's when I heard the footsteps behind me, and I turned to see a shadowy figure approaching.

Which of the following statements is true?

I walked into the room and saw that he was already sitting there. He had been waiting for me for over an hour, and I could tell that he was annoyed. I apologized for being late, but he just shrugged it off and got straight to business.

As we talked, I couldn't help but think about how different things used to be between us. We had been close once, but over time, we had grown apart. I wondered if we could ever get back to where we used to be.

After an hour or so, we wrapped up our meeting and said our goodbyes. As I walked out of the room, I couldn't shake the feeling that things would never be the same between us again.

Question: What's the function of the past tense in paragraph 2?