Simple past vs. present perfect

[harald]

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #121 "English Grammar Tenses", question 8

I ......... there once a long time ago and haven't been back since.

(a) went
(b) go
(c) have gone
(d) was going

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #121 "English Grammar Tenses", answer 8

I went there once a long time ago and haven't been back since.

Correct answer: (a) went
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have gone

[Alan]

Hi,

You need the Past Simple here because it describes a time in the past that is indicated by once a long time ago.

If you use I have gone, the time in the past is not clear and not indicated.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple