Learning goals

Students will distinguish when to use the simple past and when to use the present perfect in speaking and writing. Students will apply a clear rule to choose the correct tense based on time expressions and whether the time is finished or connected to the present. Students will explain (in words) why their tense choice is correct in short contexts.

Success criteria

I can state the rule: use simple past for finished time (often with a specific past time like yesterday/last week/in 2022) and present perfect for life experience or actions with a result/connection to now (often with ever/never/already/yet/just) when the exact time is not stated. I can correctly choose the tense in at least 8 out of 10 sentences and fix my mistakes after feedback. I can write a short paragraph (6–8 sentences) using both tenses correctly and underline the signal words or explain the time meaning. I can answer a reasoning question by explaining why the method (looking for finished time vs connection to now) works.

Questions

1. Multiple choice

   Choose the correct sentence for a finished time in the past:

2. Multiple choice

   Which rule is correct? (Example: "I have already eaten." means the result matters now.)

3. True or false

   In questions and negatives with "yet" (with no finished time), we often use the present perfect: "Have you done your homework yet?"

4. Fill in the blank

   ___ you ever been to London?

5. Match the pairs

   Match each time expression to the tense it usually signals.

6. Put in order

   Put the steps in order for choosing between simple past and present perfect.

7. Multiple choice

   Pick the correct option: "She ___ her keys, so she can’t open the door."

8. Multiple choice

   Which sentence uses the correct present perfect form?

9. Written answer

   Answer in 2–3 sentences. Which is correct and why? A) "I have played soccer last Saturday." B) "I played soccer last Saturday." Use the rule about finished time vs connection to now in your explanation.

10. Written answer

    Write a 6–8 sentence paragraph about your week. Include: - At least 3 simple past sentences with finished time expressions (e.g., yesterday, on Monday, last weekend). - At least 3 present perfect sentences with ever/never/already/yet/just OR a clear connection to now. Underline the signal words (or write a short note explaining the time meaning).

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