Differences of Past Simple and Present Perfect

Task 1: Past Simple vs. Present Perfect - What's the Difference? Objective: To understand the basic differences between Past Simple and Past Perfect tenses.(5points)

1. Watch this informative video: 

    

2. After watching the video, summarize the key differences between Past Simple and Present Perfect in your own words.

Task 2: Past Simple in Action Objective: To identify and practice using the Past Simple tense.(group work)(5points)

1. Read the following short story and underline unknown words.

   Title: The Lost Key

   Once upon a time in a small town, there lived a curious boy named Tim. One sunny morning, Tim decided to explore the nearby forest. He packed a sandwich, grabbed his backpack, and ventured into the woods.

   As he wandered deeper into the forest, he stumbled upon an old, abandoned cabin. The door was slightly ajar, and curiosity got the better of him. He cautiously pushed the door open and stepped inside. The cabin was filled with dust, cobwebs, and old furniture. It seemed like no one had been there for years.

   Tim explored the cabin, finding old books, antique trinkets, and a dusty piano in the corner. He decided to sit at the piano and started playing a hauntingly beautiful melody. The music filled the empty cabin, creating an eerie yet enchanting atmosphere.

   While he was lost in the music, he noticed something shiny under a pile of dusty books. Carefully, he uncovered it and found an old brass key. It was unlike any key he had ever seen, with intricate engravings and an aura of mystery.

   With the key in hand, Tim decided to leave the cabin and continue his adventure. Little did he know that this key would unlock a series of unexpected events and lead him on a journey he could have never imagined.

   And so, Tim's adventure in the forest had just begun, with the discovery of the mysterious key marking the start of a thrilling new chapter in his life.

   This short story is entirely in the Past Simple tense, describing events that happened in the past.

2. List at least five examples of sentences in Past Simple from the story.

3. Create your own short story using the Past Simple tense. It should include at least five Past Simple sentences.

Present Perfect in Action Objective: To identify and practice using the Present Perfect tense.

1. Read the following short story and underline unknown words 

   Title: The Unfinished Letter

   Emily has always been a passionate writer. She began keeping a journal when she was just a child and has continued the habit throughout her life. Recently, something unusual happened. She decided to revisit her old journal from high school, the one she hadn't opened in years.

   As Emily flipped through the pages of her dusty journal, memories flooded back. She read about her dreams, her teenage crushes, and her aspirations at that time. It was like reliving her past.

   In one entry, dated ten years ago, she had written about a letter she had started to write to her future self. Emily remembered that she had never finished that letter. It was meant to be a reflection on her hopes and dreams for the future.

   Curious about what her younger self had wanted to say, Emily decided to complete the letter now, a decade later. She picked up her pen and began to write about all the adventures she had experienced, the places she had traveled, and the lessons she had learned.

   As she finished the letter, Emily felt a sense of fulfillment and nostalgia. It was a reminder of how much she had grown and changed over the years. She realized that the present moment was shaped by all the experiences and choices she had made in the past.

   With a smile, Emily closed her journal and put it back on the shelf. She knew that in another ten years, she would look back on this moment with the same sense of curiosity and wonder.

   In this story, the Present Perfect tense is used to describe how Emily's past experiences and actions are connected to her current state of mind and actions.

2. List at least five examples of sentences in Present Perfect from the story.

3. Create your own short story using the Present Perfect tense. It should include at least five Present  Perfect sentences.

Task 3: Comparing Past Simple and Present Perfect Objective: To compare and contrast the use of Past Simple and Present Perfect in different situations.(5points)

1. Analyze your Past Simple story and your Present Perfect story.

2. Identify situations where Past Simple was more appropriate and situations where Present Perfect was more appropriate. Explain why each tense was used in those situations.

Home task:Real-World Application Objective: To apply your knowledge of Past Simple and Present Perfect in real-life scenarios.

1. Search for news articles, blogs, or any written content online that uses both Past Simple and Present Perfect.

2. Provide three examples from the content you found where Past Simple and Present Perfect are used correctly.