Speaking Tests: Mastering Tenses for Storytelling

​Md. Shahed Hossain
Senior ESL Master Trainer
Rightsight Limited, Khulna

Mastering the English language requires more than a wide vocabulary—it demands precise command of time. Whether writing a study abroad essay or sitting a foreign language proficiency test, knowing how to sequence past events clearly can make or break your performance. Enter the “narrative “quartet”—four tenses, each with a specific role.
The Four Pillars of Narrative
Past Simple (Subject + V2): The anchor. For completed actions that move the story forward. “I booked my IELTS registration and started my journey.”
Past Continuous (Subject + was/were + V-ing): The atmosphere. For setting the scene. “While I was researching foreign education options, I found the perfect program.”
Past Perfect (Subject + had + V3): The backstory. For actions completed before another past event. “I had already finished my TOEFL exam preparation in Khulna before the deadline.”
Past Perfect Continuous (Subject + had been + V-ing): The duration. “I had been practicing at a language school for months before I saw real progress.”
How Narrative Tenses Boost Your Score
In the IELTS exam Speaking Part 2 or the PTE exam, you’re regularly asked to describe a past experience. Relying only on Past Simple is one of the most common plateaus. Layering in Past Perfect and Past Continuous demonstrates the complex structures British Council examiners look for at higher band scores. These tenses also improve Coherence and Cohesion — guiding the examiner through your timeline naturally, without basic connectors like “and then.”
Whether finalising your PTE registration in Khulna or heading to a premium exam venue, practice these four tenses during your IELTS preparation in Khulna and turn your speaking into a compelling narrative — not just a list of facts.