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Student A
Mr. Sanders went to …………. last month. He stayed there for
two weeks. First, he flew to ………….. He stayed in a fantastic
hotel. He really liked the city because ………….………….. On
the first day, he visited the Coliseum. In the afternoon, he went
to ………….. He thought St. Peter’s was wonderful.

After Rome, Mr. Sanders went to Venice. This city was very dif-
ferent from Rome, he thought. He rode a gondola ………….
times. He took pictures of the canals. He stayed in a …………………. near the Grand Canal. His favorite food
was pasta. He drank quite a lot of …………………!

Finally, Mr. Sanders went to Milan. Everyday he …………..………. . He bought some designer goods. On the
last day, he went to …………….. . He sent some postcards to his friends.

At Milan Airport, Mr. Sanders bought ………………………………..! He got some more souvenirs for his family.

"

Student B

Mr. Sanders went to Italy last month. He stayed there

for …..……….. First, he flew to Rome. He stayed
in ………………………….. He really liked the city because it is
very historical. On the first day, he visited ……….……. . In the
afternoon, he went to Vatican City. He thought St. Peter’s was
wonderful.

After Rome, Mr. Sanders went to ………….. This city was very
different from Rome, he thought. He rode a gondola three times.
He took pictures of the ……………... He stayed in a cheap hotel near the Grand Canal. His favorite food
was ………………. He drank quite a lot of wine!

Finally, Mr. Sanders went to ……..……. . Everyday he went shopping. He bought ………….……… . On the last
day, he went to an art gallery. He sent some postcards to …………..….. .

At Milan Airport, Mr. Sanders bought a lot of duty free goods! He also got ………………. for his family.

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Write questions.

1. When ? He went to Italy last month.

2. Where ? He flew to Rome first.

3. ? He liked Rome because it's very historical.

4. ? He went to Venice after Rome.

5. ? He stayed in a cheap hotel.

6. ? He rode a gondola three times.

7. ? He took pictures of the canals.

8. ? His favorite food was pasta.

9. ? He bought some designer goods in Milan.

10. ? He sent postcards to his friends.

11. ? He bought a lot of duty free goods at

Milan airport.

12. ? He got some souvenirs for his family.

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From www.handoutsonline.com © Handouts Online

Target Structure: Past Simple Questions

Vocabulary: Vacations (US English)
Level: Elementary
Time: 20 minutes
Preparation: Cut the handout in half

Suggested Teaching Method

This gap-fill exercise offers extensive practice of Past Simple questions. It's a great way to help your students
gain confidence, fluency and accuracy with the tense.

• Cut the handouts in half.

• Assign the students either A or B.

• Hand out the relevant half. Ask the students to read the text. Explain that each has half the information and must ask
the other questions to get the answers.

• Ask a strong student, or model the first question. IMPORTANT: Student A needs to ask the first question.
("Where did Mr. Sanders go last month?") Students then proceed with the exercise. Make sure that the next ques-
tion is asked by Student B. ("How long did he stay there?")

• When students have finished, they should compare stories. Write any errors you have heard on the board and elicit
correction.

If your students need additional practice, the question writing sheet can be completed in the lesson or as homework.

Answer Key (Other answers may be possible.)

Mr. Sanders went to Italy last month. He stayed there for two weeks. First, he flew to Rome. He stayed in a fantastic ho-
tel. He really liked the city because it's very historical. On the first day, he visited the Coliseum. In the afternoon, he went
to Vatican City. He thought St. Peter’s was wonderful.

After Rome, Mr. Sanders went to Venice. This city was very different from Rome, he thought. He rode a gondola three
times. He took pictures of the canals. He stayed in a cheap hotel near the Grand Canal. His favorite food was pasta. He
drank quite a lot of wine!

Finally, Mr. Sanders went to Milan. Everyday he went shopping. He bought some designer goods. On the last day, he
went to an art gallery. He sent some postcards to his friends.

At Milan Airport, Mr. Sanders bought a lot of duty free goods! He also got some souvenirs for his family.

1. When did Mr. Sanders go to Italy? He went to Italy last month.

2. Where did he fly to first? He flew to Rome first.
3. Why did he like Rome? He liked Rome because it's very historical.
4. Where did he go after Rome? He went to Venice after Rome.
5. Where did he stay? He stayed in a cheap hotel.
6. How many times did he ride a gondola? He rode a gondola three times.
7. What did he take pictures of? He took pictures of the canals.
8. What was his favorite food? His favorite food was pasta.
9. What did he buy in Milan? He bought some designer goods in Milan.
10. Who did he send postcards to? He sent postcards to his friends.
11. What did he buy at Milan Airport? He bought a lot of duty free goods at Milan airport.
12. What did he get for his family? He got some souvenirs for his family.

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