Cultural clues: now or then

Say present or past, then complete each deduction aloud.

The gallery lights are on now. It ___ open.
The audience gave a ten-minute standing ovation last night. The play ___ excellent.
This book is on every table in the shop now. It ___ popular.
The cinema was full for every screening yesterday. The film ___ successful.
Her guitar is on the stage now. She ___ nearby.
The singer lost her voice after the concert. She ___ singing for hours.
The museum doors are locked now. It ___ closed.
The director received three awards last year. Her film ___ impressive.

Evidence time	Strong deduction
now	must be + adjective / noun
finished past time	must have been + past participle

Read the cultural evidence

Decide: Is the evidence about now or a finished event?

Connect each clue with the best deduction

The museum is dark and empty right now.: The museum must be closed.
The singer came on stage with wet hair after the outdoor festival.: She might have been performing in the rain.
This novel was first published in 1920.: It can't have been written this year.

Use the evidence to choose the correct complete deduction.

Connect each clue with the best deduction

The cinema is sold out for tonight's opening night.: The film must be popular.
The director was in Tokyo during the award ceremony last week.: She can't have been at the London event.
The review says the documentary may win a prize.: It could be very powerful.

Read the clue carefully before making your deduction.

Connect each clue with the best deduction

The book has sold millions of copies worldwide.: It must be a bestseller.
The audience left before the final scene.: The film might not have been engaging.
The actor was on another continent during filming.: He can't have been in this local production.

Say the evidence time first, then type the full missing phrase.

The gallery doors are locked and the lights are off now. It [___] closed.
This documentary is about a film released in 1975. It [___] a new film in 1975.
We have no information about the new director, but she [___] famous one day.
Everyone stayed silent during the final scene last night. The film [___] very moving.
The actor was abroad during filming. He [___] in this local theatre production.

Decide whether each statement is correct.

Use the clue to select the correct form.

Read the clue and decide whether the deduction matches its strength.

Focus on the words that show whether the evidence is present or past.

Say the full sentence and give one reason.

The art gallery is packed right now. It ___ popular.
The book was published in 1895. It ___ written by a modern blogger.
We do not know why the singer cancelled tonight. She ___ ill.
The audience clapped for fifteen minutes after the concert. It ___ amazing.
The actor was filming in Canada last week, so he ___ at the London premiere.

Say the two patterns aloud:

Say present or past, then complete each deduction aloud.

The gallery lights are on now. It ___ open.
The audience gave a ten-minute standing ovation last night. The play ___ excellent.
This book is on every table in the shop now. It ___ popular.
The cinema was full for every screening yesterday. The film ___ successful.
Her guitar is on the stage now. She ___ nearby.
The singer lost her voice after the concert. She ___ singing for hours.
The museum doors are locked now. It ___ closed.
The director received three awards last year. Her film ___ impressive.

Evidence time	Strong deduction
now	must be + adjective / noun
finished past time	must have been + past participle