Complete the sentences with the pairs of verbs from the box. Choose the most appropriate tense - present perfect or past simple.

Brief Explanation:

• We will use the present perfect or past simple to complete the sentences based on the time markers and context provided in each sentence.

Step-by-step solution:

1. Maria hasn't wanted to go swimming since she fell in the river. (The falling in the river is a specific past event. The not wanting to go swimming started after that event and continues to the present, hence present perfect for the first part and past simple for the second).
2. Since she has been at the company, she has had a day off through illness. (The 'since' indicates a period starting in the past and continuing to the present, so present perfect is used for both actions).
3. Since he has been the girl from a house fire, he has worked on TV almost every day. (Similar to the previous sentence, 'since he has been' indicates a continuous state from the past to the present. Therefore, present perfect is appropriate for both verbs).
4. A lot has happened since I last spoke to you. (The 'a lot has happened' refers to events over a period up to the present, so present perfect. The 'spoke' is a specific past action).
5. Since I have been able to drive, I have become much more independent. (The ability to drive started in the past and continues, and the independence has grown since then, so present perfect for both).
6. Stefan's reading has improved enormously since he started at school. (The improvement in reading is a result of starting school, a past event. The improvement is ongoing or has a present result, so present perfect for 'improved' and past simple for 'started').