The passage looks to be a part of literary piece and it is written in past tense

Grammar Testing Techniques

Grammar can be tested objectively. But it is important to note that good grammar testing techniques should require candidates to supply the correct grammatical structure, not simply to recognize the correct use. MCQ test items are frequently used in grammar tests. It is very difficult to find good distracters, which attract the weaker candidates who do not know the particular grammatical structure. In addition, MCQs require candidates to simply recognize the correct structure. They do not assure the tester that the candidate can use this structure accurately. The following testing techniques are more appropriate for testing grammar:

1. 
   Completion
   

This technique can be used to test a variety of language structures. The candidates are required to complete the missing parts of the answer:
Which school ………………………………………………………………?
I studied at Ananda College Colombo?
This test item elicits an answer which requires the candidate to demonstrate the ability to use simple past interrogative form.

2. 
   Paraphrase
   

The candidate is required to re-write a given sentence in another way without changing the original meaning:
When we arrived, the police – officer was questioning the thief.
When we arrived, the thief …………………………………………………
This item tests the candidate’s ability to use past progressive passive form. The beginning of the required answer is given to ensure reliability.

3. 
   Modified Cloze
   

The candidates complete a text where certain deletions are made. These deletions can include any grammatical item of interest.

4. 
   Ordering
   

The candidates are required to re- arrange words/ phrases to construct meaningful sentences.

4. 
   Scoring
   

Scoring presents no special problem: grammar items are objective. However, marking scheme should clearly address the following issues;

1. 
   Marks should not be deducted for spelling and other non-grammatical errors. The test items should test only grammar and nothing else.
   
2. 
   Marks should not be deducted for grammatical errors which are not being focused in the particular test item. Consider the following question and answer:
   

Construct questions to get the words in bold print as answers
Ranjith goes to work by bus on Saturdays.
How ……………………………………………………?
Answer: How does Manel go to school in Saturdays?
The answer contains an error in the use of preposition (in Saturday), but it can be ignored: the focus of the test item is the use of present interrogative form.

3. 
   The following question requires completion of several elements.
   

Re-write the following sentence beginning with the given words. Do not change the original meaning of the sentence;
It is five years since I saw you last.
I ……………………………………………………………. five years.
The expected answer: have not seen you for
Each of the elements in the answer must be correct to get a mark. If even one of them is missing, answer should be marked wrong.