Grammar: Present Perfect or Past Simple?

(1)
We generally use 'past simple' when we describe something that happened at a
finished time such as 'yesterday', 'last week' or 'this morning' (if the morning has
finished). We use 'present perfect' to describe something that may have happened in
the past but is connected to the present. Firstly this might be because we are talking
about an unfinished time such as 'today', 'this week' 'this year'. Or the past event might
be connected to the present because it is of importance now, such as 'I've lost my keys'
(I can't get in) or 'I've passed my exam' (I've just heard the news).

1: Work it Out
Two tenses often used to talk about events that happen in the past are the past simple and
the present perfect. Can you work out when we use 'past simple' and when we use 'present
perfect'?
A: I read a great book last week.
B: I've read three books so far this week.
A: I lost my keys and strong>had to get in through a window.
B: I've lost my keys. How am I going to get in?
A: I passed my exams in 2008 and went to university.
B: I've passed my exam ... fantastic!
Now try the quiz below to check your ideas.

2: Check Present Perfect or Past Simple

1) You should take an umbrella with you. It (started / has started) to rain.
2) It (started / has started) to rain so we decided to stay in.
3) Steve (finished / has finished) and then went out with his friends.
4) I (finished / have finished) my homework. Can I see what's on TV?
5) My father (lived / has lived) in the same house until the day he died.
6) I (lived / have lived) in this town for the past 3 years.

3: Sentence Transformation Practice

For each question, complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first.
Use no more than three words.

1. I started my English course 3 weeks ago.

........................................ on this English course for three weeks.

2. I haven't seen John since Friday.

The last time ........................................ John was Friday.

3. The last time Claire went on holiday was five years ago.
Claire ......................................... on holiday for five years.

4. Marie has been married for seven months.

Marie ........................................ seven months ago.

5. Do you know what score you got in the test?

........................................ had the result of your test?

6. I watched one film this morning and one this afternoon.

I ........................................ 2 films so far today.