Term 2 review: past, could and imperatives
This term you used three kinds of sentences. The past simple tells what happened: I visited, I went, I saw, I had, I bought, I took, I taught. Could and couldn’t tell what was possible for us long ago: When I was five, I could ride a bike, but I couldn’t swim. Imperatives tell people what to do: Swim near a grown-up. Don’t run on the wet floor. Read the text about Karim and the table.
| Past simple | Could / couldn’t | Imperative |
|---|---|---|
| went to the beach | could float | Swim near a grown-up. |
| took a lot of photos | couldn’t swim | Don’t go in alone. |
| taught me | could swim across the pool | Look both ways. |
When Karim was five, he couldn’t swim. Last summer his uncle taught him at the beach. First Karim could only float, and he was afraid of the waves. After one month he could swim across a small pool. Yesterday he swam in the sea near the lifeguard. His mother took a photo. Karim was very proud.
Swim near the flags. Don’t go in alone.
Can I swim far?
No. Stay near the beach and tell a grown-up where you are.
Thank you. I will be careful.
Past, could, imperative. Roll three imaginary dice. The first gives a verb in the past (went, saw, took). The second gives could or couldn’t. The third gives an order with Don’t or Please. The child makes one sentence for each, about a beach holiday. For example: Yesterday I went to the beach. I couldn’t swim far. Please stay near the flags.