Cmo te fue el examen?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= Had8to1Hr3M La Tomatina, Bunol, Espaa (para m, No gracias!)

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el pretrito vs. el imperfecto

El pretrito marks a fixed moment or quantity in time: last night for 3 years 1847 once

El imperfecto was taking place, was happening in the past, but the starting and ending points arent mentioned or arent important. 10/24/12

time line
Naci mi hermano. [once] Empec la escuela en la clase de la Seorita Gordon [once]. Mi ta Brbara Cambi a una se cas. nueva escuela [once].

..Cuando yo era nia --When I was a kid.. [when did I start? when did I stop?] 10/24/12

Speakers point of view

If the speaker sees the action, or the time period as completed, the preterit will be used. Fui a Los Angeles en 1998. The trip is completed, 1998 is long gone.

This can be used to sum up a situation or condition that is viewed as a whole unit, and no longer exists. Cindy S. fue mi mejor amiga. She was my best friend. She no longer is. The friendship is over. I dont even know where she is. 10/24/12

El imperfecto
The speaker explains what was happening; the starting and ending points or duration either arent known or dont matter. Vivan en una casa en el desierto. They were living / used to live in a house in the desert [When? for how long?} The speaker is emphasizing the repetitive nature of an action [would always, used to. etc] Todos en el grupo llevaban pantalones cortos anaranjados. Everyone in the group would wear / used to wear orange shorts. 10/24/12

Describing age, weather, physical condition, emotional states

Tena 38 aos. Estaba cansado y aburrido. No era muy inteligente.

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Something to keep in mind:

When describing somethingdid these conditions exist before your arrival or participation? Did they continue after you left? El ao pasado vivmos en un apartamento que era pequeo.

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If you were to translate.

handout

miniprueba next classwhich tense would you pick?

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