Famous Russians. Past Tenses

Choose the correct variant. Aleksandr Karelin ___ his Olympic debut in 1988 and soon ___ an undefeated wrestling champion.

Choose the correct variant. Wassily Kandinsky ___ to develop his abstract style for years before he finally ___ his first major exhibition.

Choose the correct variant. While Sergei Korolev ___ new rocket designs, the Soviet Union ___ to launch the first artificial satellite.

Choose the correct variant. Leo Tolstoy ___ "War and Peace" for several years before he finally ___ it in 1869.

Choose the correct variant. When Fyodor Dostoevsky ___ his novel "Crime and Punishment", he ___ from severe financial difficulties.

Choose the correct variant. While Peter the Great ___ Russia's modernisation, he ___ a new capital in Saint Petersburg.

Choose the correct variant. Before Catherine the Great ___ to power, she ___ an extensive education in philosophy and politics.

Choose the correct variant. Before Alexander Ovechkin ___ to the NHL, he ___ great success in the Russian hockey leagues.

Choose the correct variant. When Vladimir Putin first ___ president in 2000, he ___ significant political reforms.

Choose the correct variant. When Pyotr Tchaikovsky ___ one of his most famous compositions, "Swan Lake", he ___ a deep emotional crisis.