How to Use Present Perfect Tense for IELTS Success (Exercises)

Mastering the Present Perfect Tense for IELTS Success

Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will:
✅ Understand the structure and usage of the Present Perfect Tense
✅ Use it accurately to describe experiences, changes, and results
✅ Apply it naturally in IELTS Writing Task 1 & Speaking Part 1 & 3

🌍 1. What Is the Present Perfect Tense?

The Present Perfect Tense connects the past and the present.
It shows that something happened in the past but still has importance now.

🧠 Formula:
👉 have/has + past participle (V3)

Example:

I have finished my homework. (The action is done, but its result matters now.)

🧩 2. Structure

Type	Formula	Example
Affirmative	Subject + have/has + past participle	I have visited Dubai.
Negative	Subject + haven’t/hasn’t + past participle	She hasn’t seen that movie.
Question	Have/Has + subject + past participle?	Have you ever tried sushi?

🔎 3. Usage Rules

Usage	Description	IELTS Example
1️⃣ Experience	Things you’ve done at any time before now	I have taken the IELTS test twice.
2️⃣ Change over time	Things that have changed up to now	The population has increased significantly.
3️⃣ Unfinished actions	Started in the past, continuing now	I have lived in Lahore for five years.
4️⃣ Past actions with present results	The result is still visible	She has broken her phone, so she can’t call you.

⏰ 4. Signal Words (Keywords That Often Go With This Tense)

✅ already, just, ever, never, yet, so far, recently, lately, since, for

💬 Examples:

I have already finished my essay.
Have you ever been to another country?
She hasn’t called me yet.
I have lived here since 2018.
He has studied English for three years.

🧱 5. IELTS-Style Examples

Writing Task 1 (Trends)

The population has increased dramatically over the last two decades.
The number of internet users has doubled since 2000.

Writing Task 2 (Experience/Opinion)

Many countries have developed advanced public transport systems.
Governments have implemented stricter pollution laws in recent years.

Speaking (Part 1/3)

I have visited many historical places in my country.
I haven’t decided on my future career yet.
Have you ever faced a challenge while learning English?

🧠 6. Practice Activities

🔹 A. Verb Conjugation Drill

Write the correct form of the verb in Present Perfect Tense.

Base Verb	Present Perfect	Example Sentence
go	have gone	I have gone to London several times.
see	has seen	She has seen that documentary before.
study	have studied	We have studied English for three years.
finish	has finished	He has finished his assignment.
visit	have visited	They have visited many countries.
improve	has improved	Her writing has improved recently.
change	have changed	Things have changed a lot since 2010.

Now, add 5 more of your own verbs and make Present Perfect sentences on your notebook! 🧾

🔹 B. Fill in the Blanks

Use the correct form of the verb in brackets.
Beginner Level

I (never / be) to Japan.
She (just / finish) her homework.
They (not / call) me yet.
My English (improve) a lot this year.
How long you (live) here?
The prices (increase) sharply since 2010.
He (visit) his grandparents many times.
We (not / decide) where to go on vacation yet.

Advance Level

Despite numerous setbacks, the research team (achieve) significant breakthroughs in renewable energy technology.
The government (implement) several reforms to address the growing concerns over urban pollution.
Many scholars (argue) that globalization has reshaped cultural identities in profound ways.
Over the past decade, climate activists (raise) awareness about the consequences of deforestation.
The university (receive) international recognition for its contributions to artificial intelligence research.
Several countries (adopt) stricter immigration policies in response to recent geopolitical tensions.
The author (explore) themes of displacement and resilience throughout her latest novel.
Economists (observe) a steady decline in consumer confidence since the onset of the financial crisis.
The committee (not reach) a consensus on the proposed amendments to the education policy.
Advances in medical science (enable) doctors to treat previously incurable diseases.

Rewrite each sentence from Simple Past into Present Perfect.

I watched that movie last week.

2. She studied English two years ago.

3. They bought a new car yesterday.

4. He broke his leg last month.

5. We visited Paris in 2018.

Advance Level

1.The researchers published their findings in a renowned journal.

2.She completed her postgraduate degree in environmental science last year.

3.The government introduced new tax regulations in March.

4.He submitted the scholarship application before the deadline.

5.They conducted a comprehensive survey on consumer behavior.

6.The company launched its latest product line in January.

7.The students organized a climate awareness campaign on campus.

8. The committee approved the proposal after several revisions.

9.She wrote an article about the impact of social media on mental health.

10.The university hosted an international conference on sustainable development.

Find and fix the grammar mistakes

1. They have went to the market.

2. She haven’t visited the museum yet.

3. Have you ever eat sushi?

4. We has studied for the test.

5. They have just finish their dinner.

Advance level

1. She has lived in London since five years.

2. Neither the students nor the teacher have understood the instructions clearly.

3. If he would have studied harder, he would have passed the exam.

4. The data suggests that people is becoming more health-conscious.

5. I look forward to meet you at the conference next week.

6. There was less people attending the seminar than expected.

7. He’s one of those writers who focuses too much on style over substance.

8. The committee have decided to postpone the meeting until further notice.

9. Despite of the rain, the event continued as planned.

10. She didn’t only complete the project on time, but also exceeded expectations.

🔹 E. IELTS Mini Writing Practice

Task 1 (Academic Style):
Describe the trend using the Present Perfect Tense.

The number of mobile phone users increased from 2000 to 2025.

✅ Model Answer:

The number of mobile phone users has increased significantly since 2000.

Task 2 (Opinion Style):
Use the Present Perfect to show change and impact.

Many people believe technology has changed communication.
✅ Indeed, technology has revolutionized the way people connect with each other.

🔹 F. Speaking Drill – Have You Ever…?

Practice asking and answering using the Present Perfect.

Question	Sample Answer
Have you ever failed an exam?	Yes, I have failed once, but it taught me to study harder.
Have you ever traveled abroad?	No, I haven’t traveled abroad yet, but I’d love to visit Turkey.
Have you ever tried online learning?	Yes, I have tried several IELTS courses online.
Have you ever met a foreign teacher?	Yes, I have met one during an IELTS speaking workshop.

💡 Try to expand your answers with reasons or experiences — just like in IELTS Speaking Part 1!

💬 IELTS Tip of the Lesson

⭐ Use Present Perfect for describing changes or life experiences in IELTS Writing & Speaking.
For example:

The government has introduced new policies to reduce pollution.
I have improved my English by practicing daily.

👉 It shows your grammatical flexibility and connects your ideas naturally to the present — a key to Band 7+ Grammar Range & Accuracy!

🐐 Final Words from GoatGuruEnglish

The Present Perfect Tense isn’t just grammar — it’s a storytelling tool.
It connects your past experiences to your present progress — exactly what IELTS examiners love to see!

Practice Essay Writing Here