UNIVERSIDAD DE ANTIOQUIA – ENGLISH LEVEL III

My life

My name’s Hector, I’m seventy-eight years old and I have had a very good life. I have
met lots of famous people and been to lots of interesting places.

I’ve been to New York six or seven times, I went there for the first time when I was a
young man in 1954. When I was there for the first time, I was walking down the road
when I met a handsome man. He asked me to help him carry his heavy bag, so I did.
After I carried his bag, he told me his name was Elvis and asked me if I wanted to go
for lunch with him. I was very hungry, so I accepted his offer.

We had a very nice lunch together - I ate fish pie and he had hamburgers. During lunch,
we were talking and laughing and Elvis asked me if I wanted to come with and work with
his team. He said he was a famous singer and he sang at concerts.

I went with him and we had a great time - we visited dozens of places, for example, Las
Vegas and Graceland in America and Munich in Germany. He
never sang in the UK, but we stopped at Prestwick Airport in
Scotland when we were travelling to Munich. Prestwick is the
only place in the UK where Elvis stood.

I always feel proud when I think of all of the amazing things I

have done. I have many funny and crazy stories! Elvis had a
great life.

True or false? If false, please say why.

1. Hector is dead T F
Hector is still alive and is seventy-eight years old
2. Elvis was ugly T F
Elvis was a handsome man.
3. Many people knew Elvis T F
Elvis said he was a famous singer and he sang at concerts.
4. Elvis ate healthy food T F
Elvis ate hamburgers.
5. The only place in the UK where Elvis sang was Prestwick T F
Elvis never sang in the UK.
6. Hector’s life has been boring T F
Hector has had a very good life.
7. Elvis is dead T F
Elvis had a great life.
UNIVERSIDAD DE ANTIOQUIA – ENGLISH LEVEL III
Look at the text again…

1. Underline all examples of past simple in the text.

2. Circle all examples of present perfect in the text.

3. Fill in the blanks:

present perfect simple

When writing a story, we use present perfect tenses much more than we use

Simple.

4. Why does Hector say: a) “I’ve been to New York 7 times”

b) “I went there in 1954” ?

Which is past simple and which is present perfect? a) present perfect b) past simple

5. Why does Hector say: a) “I have had a very good life”

b)“Elvis had a great life.” ?

Which is past simple and which is present perfect? a) present perfect b) past simple

Homework
Now, write a story about your life experiences (100 words) for homework.

Remember:
 Most writing is in past or present simple, NOT present perfect
 Finished things in the past - “I ate breakfast at 8am” - use past simple
 When talking about life experiences - “I have been to France” - use present perfect
 UNIVERSIDAD DE ANTIOQUIA – ENGLISH LEVEL III
My name is Sergio, I am thirty-three years old and I have had many experiences that are worth
remembering. I remember with great emotion the day my oldest daughter was born, that day I
became a father for the first time, that day I was very anxious because I knew that the day
had finally come to see my daughter, and when I saw her for the first time, I felt very happy.
I also remember with nostalgia those times when I used to go out and have fun with my friends
on weekends. I remember the time we went to Capurganá for the weekend and we were able to
really enjoy the tours we did those days.