Over + Period= Past simple?

[manikkedi]

I have questions about Over+period. As far as I know, we use present perfect tense with over+period. But in these 2 examples, the correct answer is given with past simple tense. Can anyone pls explain it to me? Thanx

1- At the Brussels meeting over the last
weekend Madeleine Albright, The American
secretary of State, ____ her allies that
future NATO missions ____ them further a
field, but not all over the world.
A) assures / is taking
B) has assured / will have taken
C) assured / would take
D) had assured / took
E) was assuring / will take

2- Over the past two decades, the Corsicans
____ their idyllic island, which was wrested
by France from the Genoese in 1768, ____
into terrorism, corruption and economic
decline

A) have seen / sink
B) had seen / sank
C) saw / to sink
D) would have seen / had sunk
E) would see / had been sinkin

[5jj]

In my long career in TEFL, I have met many speakers of Aymara from Andorra living in the Bahamas. You are the first I've encountered who hasn't known the correct answer to those questions

Think about them carefully, and you'll probably see what is going on.

[jahildebrandt]

Consider the timeline of the events.

[bhaisahab]

In my long career in TEFL, I have met many speakers of Aymara from Andorra living in the Bahamas. You are the first I've encountered who hasn't known the correct answer to those questions

Think about them carefully, and you'll probably see what is going on.

[Raymott]

I have questions about Over+period. As far as I know, we use present perfect tense with over+period. But in these 2 examples, the correct answer is given with past simple tense. Can anyone pls explain it to me? Thanx

But seriously, you don't have to use the present perfect tense with "over a certain time period"
Secondly, the correct answer for 2. can't be the simple past tense (C) because that would make the other answer "to sink" wrong.
C is OK for 1.
For 2, A is correct.

[manikkedi]

Dear Raymontt- Thanx for yur proper answer, this means a lot. I am from Turkey and we have exam classes. You know what they ask for- clues, tips, etc. It works for some time expressions like since and by the time. And as I told you, what is always said on our books is Over+period of time is used with present perfect. So when I saw 2 examples with past simple ı needed and explanation. Thank you so much for your time and considiration.

[manikkedi]

In my long career in TEFL, I have met many speakers of Aymara from Andorra living in the Bahamas. You are the first I've encountered who hasn't known the correct answer to those questions

Think about them carefully, and you'll probably see what is going on.

And moderator, I was a bit rush while filling out the form. I will sort it out today for the publicity- everybody must be wondering my details, coz it is a big deal. I haven't harrased or insulted anybody, so I don't have to hide my identity. I am also an ESL teacher seeking for the truth like the other teachers. Thanx for the warm wellcome- it really works, very supportive.

[5jj]

I am from Turkey

So why do you say that you come from Andorra and that you live in the Bahamas? Inventing false backgrounds does not encourage us to take your questions seriously.

[manikkedi]

So why do you say that you come from Andorra and that you live in the Bahamas? Inventing false backgrounds does not encourage us to take your questions seriously.

As I stated, I was in a rush and I sorted it out a minute ago. You needn't have told me that way, it was harsh. That investigating and false identity thing is reasonable, but I wasn't trying to reach FBI database; I just asked for a reply for my question. Anyway, I found your attitude humiliating and it didn't feel very well.

[bhaisahab]

As I stated, I was in a rush and I sorted it out a minute ago. You needn't have told me that way, it was harsh. That investigating and false identity thing is reasonable, but I wasn't trying to reach FBI database; I just asked for a reply for my question. Anyway, I found your attitude humiliating and it didn't feel very well.

Mannikedi, I think we have a reasonable right to expect people to be honest with us about their identities, we are all volunteers, we do what we do in an honest desire to help people who want to improve their English. You say that you were in a rush, OK, but as a teacher, do you think it reasonable to approach something, which presumably was important for your knowledge of English, in such a manner?