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In a lesson on Present perfect at A2 level I have this exercise (an interview with a basketball player):

Q: How many points have you scored this season?

A: Only 25. But we have not played many games yet. I'm happy because many good players _____ (join) the team. Last month we bought a fantastic new Brazilian player.

What tense should I use for join there and why?

(edited to provide more context)

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  • Past simple and present perfect are both possible. But the context plays a vital role. I'd rather you read this
    – Mohd Zulkanien Sarbini
    Commented Mar 18, 2017 at 12:17
  • @user178049 yes, they are and that is why I am asking :) Just edited to add more context.
    – HingeSight
    Commented Mar 18, 2017 at 12:43

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[I'm not sure if helping students with English classes is off-topic (but I can't find mention of it). But given how old the question is:]

I believe the exercise is looking for the present perfect, because the previous sentence is in the present perfect. Given that your class is all about the present perfect, we can also assume that that is what the exercise is looking for.

I'm happy because many good players have joined the team.

The present perfect is formed by using has/have + past participle. "Many good players" is plural, so you need the plural 'have'.

In theory, the present tense also makes perfectly good sense in this context

I'm happy because many good players are joining the team.

But given that the speaker says 'last month' the team bought a new player, one might lean towards expecting the present perfect. But either sentence is perfectly acceptable in the context given.

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