Showing posts with label Unit 1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Unit 1. Show all posts

Unit 1 - Simple Past vs. Present Perfect

Grammar- Simple past and present perfect


The simple past is used to talk about actions that began and ended in the past.

My mother was a teacher for five years.

The present perfect is used for actions that began in the past and continue in the present.

My mother has been a teacher for ten years.  For the past five years she has worked as a primary teacher.

Additional Resources

 Present Perfect

English Grammar Online
Share This:    Twitter  Google+

Writing Paragraphs in English- Student Stories

by Elena
My mother’s once told me a really funny story about a partner who she was working with. They have been very closed friends since there because they worked together for the same company during more than fifteen years. One day Isabel told my mother, a curious experience that she had had while she was younger. She was working for another company as a personal assistant but she really wanted to get a better job. After a couple of months there, she finally had the opportunity to make it possible. There were a few vacancies in the office to be part of the director’s team and of course she decided to apply for this job, but first she needed to pass an exam.

During the next weeks she started studying all the topics and subjects: economics, law... Apparently everything was fine, but when the big day was coming she was more and more nervous. That was very normal because it was the first time that she was making a proof like that.
Finally, the day had come. She was preparing everything for the text when her house mate, who she was living with, told her that it would be better if she took a tranquillizer just to be a little more relaxed during the exam. She accepted without a doubt because she wanted to be calm down.

After that, she took the subway, like everyday. There she started to fell a little bit tired and sleepy but continued going to the place where the exam was. She didn’t know how, but finally she arrived to the right place. Then she entered into a big class and sat down where an old man told her. The exam was given to her but before she could begin, she needed to clean her glasses first. She took them out from her bag and with a lot of calm and very, very relaxed, she started to clean them.
Isabel began to read the two or three first questions when the same old man said: “Ok. Time is over. Give me your exams in order, please”. She couldn’t believe these words. Time was finished and she hadn’t started to read just the first page yet. She was so relaxed that didn´t realize that she had spent at least 45 minutes just cleaning her glasses!! Of course, she didn’t pass the exam, but at the end she learned two very important things: Not to take any pill she doesn’t know from her friends and how to pass a good time just remembering this memorable story!!


by María José de Alarcón
Two months ago I bought a ticket to Tenerife South, at the beginning the price was 160 € but, at last, it raised up till 300 €. At first, I could have never guessed that Ryanair was so expensive due to the fact that on entering their website in order to look for cheap flights, you can find low cost tickets, but the reality was another one.
First of all, the price was completely disappointing but, next, I had to pay an extra cost for a priority boarding in order not to queue for over an hour to get a good site in the plane. Then, I also had to pay for having a larger space in my seat since my husband has long legs. Finally, I thought there would not be more setbacks but when the time of arriving to the airport came, I discovered I had forgotten to print my boarding cards and, astonished, I had to pay another extra cost. In the end, I was penalised too for exceeding the exact dimensions, regarding size and weight, of my cabin baggage.
Looking back on it, I think next time I go to Tenerife I will fly with Iberia since I am convinced that it gives their customers better services and, over all, no surprises concerning additional prices.

The lost city of Machu Picchu.
by Iñigo A.
Once in a raffle during the tourism fair in Madrid won a plane ticket to Peru.
There are seven wonders in the world, Machu Pichu in my opinion is the most amazing for several reasons. The first thing you'll see is the sacred valley, your eyes will open an uncontrollably. Second you can do Inca route for three days and  understand the harsh conditions  the inhabitants who lived 800 years ago.
Finally, one morning at sunrise climb to Machu Pichu and discover what nature is able to keep hidden for so long, your heart beats too fast for hours and and would be eternal that vision in your brain eternal . For this reason I believe that the journey to the lost city is something no one should miss.

Share This:    Twitter  Google+

Vocabulary Unit 1 - What's the story?

Vocabulary Focus

Note: definition is chosen according to what meaning is given in the World Pass book.  Words can have other meanings.

al·ter   (ôltr) v. al·teredal·ter·ingal·ters v.tr.

1. To change or make different; modify: altered my will.


cov·er  (kvr) v. cov·eredcov·er·ingcov·ers
b. To be responsible for reporting the details of (an event or situation): Two reporters covered the news story.

go after
Verb 
pursue an idea



go over
2. To examine or review: go over the test scores.


make up
4. To devise as a fiction or falsehood; invent: made up an excuse.

piece together
figure out what happened (World Pass-Upper Intermediate)

ver·i·fy  (vr-f)  tr.v. ver·i·fiedver·i·fy·ingver·i·fies
2. To determine or test the truth or accuracy of, as by comparison, investigation, or reference:experiments that verified the hypothesis. 

Additional vocabulary
change a  / one's story - to change the details of a story
kill a story - to not publish a story that was ready to be printed or aired on TV.



con·se·quence  (kns-kwns, -kwns)
Something that logically or naturally follows from an action or condition

ex·pec·tant  (k-spktnt) adj.
1. Having or marked by expectation: an expectant look; an expectant hush.


fam·i·ly  (fm-l, fmln. pl. fam·i·lies
1.
a. A fundamental social group in society typically consisting of one or two parents and their children.


fate  (ft) n.
1.
a. The supposed force, principle, or power that predetermines events.


magic charm  (chärm) n.


4. An item worn for its supposed magical benefit, as in warding off evil; an amulet.

sol·emnly  (slm) adj.
1. Deeply earnest, serious, and sober.
2. Somberly or gravely impressive.


sor·ry  (sr, sôradj. sor·ri·er, sor·ri·est
1. Feeling or expressing sympathy, pity, or regret:


stormy night - 
storm·y  (stôrm)
adj. storm·i·erstorm·i·est
1. Subject to, characterized by, or affected by storms; tempestuous.


vis·i·tor  (vz-tr) n.
1. a person who pays a visit; caller, guest, tourist, etc

wish  (wsh) n.
1. A desire, longing, or strong inclination for a specific thing.


loss  (lôs, ls) n.

1. The act or an instance of losing.
Your loss is my gain. 


Source: The Free Dictionary.com


Telling stories:
I'll never forget the time...
A couple of years ago...
Last summer...
It happened when...
One night...
Share This:    Twitter  Google+

The Past Simple vs. the Present Perfect

Understanding the differences between the Present Perfect and the Simple Past can be confusing.  Here are the notes from the class and some links that can help you understand it.  I am also adding some exercises that you may try to test your understanding.

We use the Present Perfect (have been / have played / have done, etc.) when we talk about a time from the past until now - for example your life: Have you been to France? (in your life) No, I haven't. (Source: Basic Grammar in Use, Raymond Murphy)


Present Perfect
Past Simple
Time Period
I have been to the theatre three times this week.

 This week has not finished yet.
I went to the theatre last week.

Last week is finished.
New or Old Information
Maria had a broken arm again.
Maria broke her arm last month.
Specific or Non-specific
I have been to Paris already.
I went to Paris two months ago.
Action Finished (´for´ o r ´since`)
I had lived in California for ten years.
I lived in California for ten years.

Online Sources for more information:
Use of Present Perfect

Exercises

Share This:    Twitter  Google+
Alicia Vazquez 2018. Powered by Blogger.