Как говорится --- Please make Homework

Present Perfect, Past Simple, Past Continuous или Past Perfect. 1. They (told) me yesterday that you (had got) an excellent mark. 2. When did you (receive) a letter from your friend? 3. Our grandmother (was cooking) dinner from twelve till three yesterday. 4. Look! What beautiful flowers she (is buying)! 5. They ( travelled) along the coast of Africa last year. 6. We (have not  seen) each other for ages. 7. They (have  eaten) all the apples which I (brought). 8. When the children (had had) dinner, they (went) for a walk. 9. Last summer we ( lived) in the country and (went) to the river every day. 10. My sister ( spent) a lot of money yesterday. 11. She is so upset: she (has lost) the key to the front door. 12. By the 1st of September all the children (had returned) from the country. 13. Columbus ( discovered) America 500 years ago. 14. Columbus (did not  know) that he (had discovered) America. 15. I have already ( read) five English books. 16. He (had discussed) the problem with a lot of people before he (took) a decision. 17. Mother (has baked) a delicious cake! Sit down at the table and let's eat it! 18. She (was reading) an English book the whole evening yesterday. 19. I have never ( been) to Greece. 20. Have you ever ( been) to the Niagara Falls? 21. At this time yesterday they (were sitting) on the sofa and (listening) to their grandmother who (was telling) them fairy-tales. 22. My friend has just ( rung) me up from London. 23. I (was standing) at the tram-stop when it ( began) raining. 24. We (have not  skated) since last winter.

1) one of the most popular TV programmes is the new show on the Russia channel called "amazing people". the participants are really amazing - for example, a mathematical genius who could easily do challenging calculations in his head or a 4 year old girl who spoke 6 languages.
2) russians like to play football and hockey. our hockey team is the best in the world! we're very proud of our sportspeople.
3) me and my friends often go shopping, walk around the city, visit different museums and cafes. i like travelling a lot. my favourite destination is st petersburg, it's a fantastic city.
4) i'm very fond of learning languages and painting. every tuesday, i go to an art school to improve my drawing skills. also, i'm passionate about music
5) сорри, я не знаю, где ты живешь и поэтому не могу описать твой город
6) yes, we celebrate christmas. but russian orthodox christmas is on the 7th of january, two weeks after the catholic one. also, new year celebrations are bigger than christmas ones, but still, it's a very significant holiday
7) many people have pets. the most popular pets are cats and dogs. i have a cat called Murzik and i love him so much! he is so playful and kind.
8) to trave to Russia, you'll probably need a visa. to get it, you need to apply to the Russian embassy in London. if Russians want to go abroad, they must have a foreign passport.