How Languages Cut Up Time · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Telling finished from ongoing in the past

Languages · Grammar Across Languages · ages 14-16
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. In Spanish, which past suits a repeated childhood habit?

    • The finished single event form
    • The habit and backdrop form
    • The future form

  2. A past verb can show a habit or a finished event. What is that second question called?

    • How the action unfolded
    • How long the sentence is
    • How the verb is spelled

  3. Shift tense inside a paragraph only when the time frame truly jumps.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. Last summer she swam every morning. Which past fits swam?

    • Habit and backdrop
    • Finished single event
    • Present habit

  5. You circle verbs and one claims a different time. What should you do?

    • Delete the whole paragraph
    • Change every verb at random
    • Fix the odd one to match the frame

  6. Some languages force time marks that English can leave open.

    Circle one:   True   False

  7. A paragraph starts in the past, then one verb jumps to the present for no reason. What is wrong?

    • Nothing, shifts keep readers alert
    • Past verbs are banned here
    • The tense broke without a time jump

  8. What is the best way to learn two past forms?

    • Memorise bare tables silently
    • Use both forms in retold stories, said aloud
    • Learn only one form
LightMySky · lightmysky.comW1-mt_lCx2JzFUeD-s1

Answer key

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

Telling finished from ongoing in the past W1-mt_lCx2JzFUeD-s1

  1. The habit and backdrop form · Repeated childhood scenes are backdrops, not single finished events.
  2. How the action unfolded · When sets the timeline. How shows finished, habit or ongoing.
  3. True · Steady tense keeps events in order. Random jumps confuse readers.
  4. Habit and backdrop · Every morning repeats it, so the action is a habit, not one finished splash.
  5. Fix the odd one to match the frame · One odd verb is one local fault. Fix it and keep the frame.
  6. True · Finished versus ongoing is forced in some languages while English stays open.
  7. The tense broke without a time jump · No time jump means no excuse. The stray verb breaks the steady frame.
  8. Use both forms in retold stories, said aloud · Stories plus voice wire each choice to its meaning. Silent tables never do.
Worksheet · LightMySky