Mtra. Ramona Grin M.

Activity # 3
English III

Topic: Comparing present and past

Introduction to the Unit

Welcome to this new unit! This time, you will work with vocabulary, grammar, reading
comprehension and writing related to comparing past and present. In this sense, the
focus will be on human and social relationships. You will have an opportunity to assess
your knowledge before and after you complete this unit. Before starting with the Exercises.

We hope you enjoy this learning experience!

Mtra. Ramona Grin M.A

Complete the following table with an emoji based on your current

knowledge.

STATEMENT
YES! SO-SO… NO
I can write at least 5 sentences using phrases for everyday
activities, such as play with toys, visit my grandmother, play
video games, etc.

I can write at least 4 sentences using “used to” and “did not
use to”.

I can answer questions to demonstrate specific understanding

of a written text about childhood experiences.

Learning New Vocabulary

Mtra. Ramona Grin M.A

Exercise #1
Read the following sentences. Try to guess the meaning of the
underlined phrases.

A) When I was 5 years old, I used to play with toys.( DOLL,BALL.)

B) Many years ago, when I was younger, I used to visit my grandmother.

C) My friends and I used to play video games when we were kids.

D) When I was 10 years old, I used to help my mother with house chores.

E) I did not use to hang out with my friends when I was a little boy.

F) My family did not use to go to the movies when we were toddlers.

G) My friends did not use to sing in a band when I was younger. Now, they do!
Mtra. Ramona Grin M.A

Exercise #2
Look at the phrases in the box below. Fill in the blanks with the
right phrase.

play with toys • visit my grandmother • play video games • help my mother
hang out with my friends • go to the movies • sing in a band.

A) I used to play with toys when I was a little boy. I really loved playing with cars.

B) My best friend used to sing in a band He had a great voice.

C) My father used to always take us to visit my grandmother .She was a very sweet
lady.

D) I did not use to go to the movies because I did not like popcorn or lots of people.

E) My little brother used to play video games with our cousins. They loved playing
Mario Bros.

F) I used to hang out with my friendes at my parents’ house when I was a kid. Now,
we get together at my house to talk and watch movies.

G) I did not use to help my mother with house chores. Now, as a teenager I help her
all the time. I love Washington the dishes!
Mtra. Ramona Grin M.A

Exercise #3
Write a short story using at least five of the following key phrases.

(Escribe una historia corta usando por lo menos cinco de las siguientes frases.)

play with toys • visit my grandmother • play video games • help my mother
hang out with my friends • go to the movies • sing in a band.

When I was little and I used to visit my grandmother at the farm, I was
always helping out. My little brother would stay inside playing video
games. We did not go to the movies because it was really far away. I
missed hanging out with my friends back home. When everyone was
sleep in the evening I used to play with toys.

Practicing Grammar!
Exercise # 4
Read the following dialogue. Pay attention to the function of “used
to” and “did not use to”. Write two examples from the dialogue
using each of these grammatical forms.

Sandra: Good morning!

Carlos: Good morning! Now that we are teenagers, I was wondering about your
childhood years. What did you used to do as a child?
Sandra: That is an interesting question. As a child, I used to play with my cousins.
a lot. We loved to play hide and seek. Of course, we do not play like this
anymore. It was lots of fun. What about you?
Carlos: I remember that as a child I used to play soccer with my parents. We all loved
playing together. Sandra: How sweet! Is there anything you did not use to do as a child
that you do now?
Carlos: Yes, when I was a young child, I did not use to drive a car. And now, I love
driving my car. What, about yourself?
Mtra. Ramona Grin M.A

Sandra: I did not use to go dancing when I was a kid, but now I love to go dancing with
my friends.
Carlos: Sounds like lots of fun. Thanks for chatting. Bye.
Sandra: Great seeing you. Catch you later.

Examples of “used to.”

A) I used to play baseball but I stopped because of school.

B) The old bakery near my house used to be one of the busiest business in the
city.

Examples of “did not use to.”

A) Some of my friends did not used to like soccer not they love it.

B) My sister did not used to like coconut but after our trip to the beach she
started to like it.
 Mtra. Ramona Grin M.A

Exercise # 5
Read the following text and complete the exercises below.

“Experience from my past

Recently, a very good friend asked me about my

childhood and some of the routines I had when I was
younger. This was a great question because it was
something I had not thought about in a long time.
When I was a young girl, I used to play lots of board
games with my family. My favorite was one where I
had to guess the colors of different animals. I was
just 4 years old, but I had so much fun with it. I also
used to visit my grandparents every other weekend.
My grandmother used to bake cookies and chocolate
cake. Nowadays, I do not get to visit them as
frequently. One thing I did not use to do when I was a
kid was watch TV. My parents did not let me watch
TV until I was a teenager. I also did not use to play
lots of video games when I was a young girl. However,
now as a teenager I love playing video games,
especially car race games. Finally, I remember that I
used to go on lots of trips to the park.
when I was around 7 years old.
Nowadays, I do not have enough time
to go to as many parts, but I do go
sometimes.
Mtra. Ramona Grin M.A

Exercise #2
Read the text and answer the following questions.

Read and complete

A) What life stage does the reading talk about?
a) Adulthood b) Childhood c) Young adulthood

B) What time frames does the reading focus on?

a) Past and present b) Past and future c) Present and future

C) Read the text and complete the following true or false

exercise. Circle true or false. If the answer is false, write the
correct information.

The author had been thinking about her childhood routines a lot. (True or false)
False
The author used to play a board game of guessing colors of animals. (True or false)
True
The author used to visit her grandparents every weekend. (True or false)
False
Watching TV was a common activity for the author when she was a child. (True or
false)
False
The author used to go to parks a lot when she was younger. (True or false)
True