Week 1 · Start Smart (revision) and the Unit 1 opener: finish a dialog about plans, read a text for its main idea (reference only), tenses and word choice, a short paragraph, the Unit 1 aims · 3 lessons
3
Revising tenses and words: choose, complete, write
English Preparatory 2 Term 1, Start Smart and Unit 1 opener: pp. 11–13
GoalChoose the right word, complete verb forms and write a short paragraph with the tenses from Start Smart.
New words
habit · something you do oftensince · from a point in the past until nowyet · until now (in questions and negatives)rubbish · things we throw awayopposite · a word with the opposite meaningfavourite · the one you like best
Explanation
Many tests mix tenses and small words, so look for signals. The present simple uses every day, always, usually: She goes to school every day. The past simple uses finished times: yesterday, last year, ago: We went to the zoo last week. The present perfect (have or has + past participle) connects the past with now. Use since with a starting point (since 2020, since Monday) and for with a length of time (for two years). Use yet in negatives and questions: I haven’t finished yet. For real possibilities use the first conditional: If + present simple, will + verb: If it is hot, we will swim. Remember: look for something means try to find it, enjoy is followed by -ing, and well is an adverb (he plays well) while good is an adjective (a good player).
Signal
Tense
Example
every day, usually
present simple
He walks to school.
yesterday, last year, ago
past simple
We visited Luxor last year.
since + point, for + length
present perfect
I have lived here since 2019.
yet (negative, question)
present perfect
She hasn’t called yet.
If + present
will + verb
If I study, I will pass.
Worked examples
Choose the right word: Hagar plays the violin very ___ . (good / well). The answer is well, because it describes the verb plays.
Complete with the correct form: They ___ (live) in Mansoura since 2018. The answer is have lived.
Look. Say what the girl is doing and what her favourite place is.
Now you. Say one sentence with since and one with for about yourself.
Class activity
Paragraph builder. On paper write a paragraph of 60 to 80 words about your favourite place at home. Use four parts: what the place is, what you do there every day, what you did there yesterday, and what you are going to do there this weekend.
Practice
1
Choose: I enjoy ___ in the garden after school. (play / playing / to play)
playing.
2
Complete with the correct form: If it ___ (be) hot tomorrow, we will swim.
is. First conditional: if + present simple.
3
Complete with since or for: My cousin has lived in Tanta ___ five years.
for. Five years is a length of time.
4
Complete with the correct form: Last Friday they ___ (go) to the market and ___ (buy) some fruit.
went, bought.
5
Writing: write four sentences about your favourite place at home. Use one present simple, one past simple, one going to and one since sentence.
For example: My favourite place is the balcony. Yesterday I read a book there. This weekend I am going to water the plants. I have loved it since I was seven.
