Your minute, in order, in the past

Languages · Sounds & Conversation · ages 11-13

Name ______________________ Date ____________

Which words keep events in order?
- First, then, finally
- Maybe, perhaps, possibly
- Red, blue, green
Where does a short personal story start?
- With the ending
- With when and where it happened
- With a dictionary
A past story should keep one past tense all the way through.
Circle one: True False
You wrote your story down. What check comes next?
- Count the pages
- Check each verb sits in the past
- Change the language
Which ending closes a story well?
- It was the best day because we saved it
- Then something else happened and then more
- The end of this part
Your minute runs too long. What do you cut?
- The closing feeling
- Side details that skip the main line
- All past verbs
Two tellings: bare event list versus one reason added. Which is a story?
- Neither ever
- The bare list
- The one with a reason
Mid-story a word hides. What is the best rescue?
- Switch languages at once
- Mime, rephrase or restart in the new language
- Stop the story

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

First, then, finally · Time words signpost the path through your story.
With when and where it happened · One quick setup line pulls listeners straight in.
True · Mixed tenses trip listeners and blur the order.
Check each verb sits in the past · Writing first lets you fix verbs before speaking.
It was the best day because we saved it · A result or feeling tells listeners you landed.
Side details that skip the main line · Tight setups keep the surprise and the minute.
The one with a reason · Reasons and opinions turn reports into stories.
Mime, rephrase or restart in the new language · Staying in the language keeps the rally alive.