Answer :
Here's how you can fill in the blanks with the appropriate verb tenses in the letter:
(1) I received your letter about two weeks ago.
(2) I've been trying to find time to write you back ever since. I (be)
(3) very busy lately. In the past two weeks, I have been
(4) four times. I have another one next week. In addition, a friend
(5) has been staying with me since last Thursday. She wanted to see the city, so we
(6) have spent a lot of time visiting some of the interesting places here. We
(7) went to the zoo, the art museum, and the botanical gardens. (We)
(8) went to the park and watched a balloon race. Between showing her the city and studying for my exams, I
(9) have barely had enough time to breathe. Right now it
(10) is 3:00 A.M. and I have been sitting here for five hours doing my studying.
(11) I am at my desk. I sat down at 6:05, so I
(12) decided not to go to bed. That's why I
(13) am writing to you at such an early hour. My friend's plane
(14) leaves a little later today. I might take a nap after I
(15) get back from taking her to the airport. How
(16) are you getting along? How are your classes going?
(17) Please write soon.
Yours,
Janet
In English, the choice of verb tense conveys information about the time frame of the action or state of being. Here, the past tense is often used for actions that are completed (like receiving the letter), present perfect for actions that have relevance to the present (like the effect of being busy on Janet's current situation), and present continuous for ongoing actions or situations (like the friend staying). The simple present is used for scheduled future events (like the friend's flight). The choice of tense always depends on when the action happens and its relationship to the present moment.
