What was your childhood like ?

let's look at the language you need to talk about your

childhood.

• Use past tenses, used to and would.

• Learn Family members
• Learn phrases and collocations connected with
remembering.
Reading :

What was your childhood like and is there anything you

miss?
Well, to be honest, I'm not a very nostalgic person and I don't look back on my

life that often. I tend to think more about the future than about the past. Having said

that, I have some vague memories of my childhood.

Occasionally, I may think about my childhood, especially when I try to find out what

kind of person I used to be or whether I was happier as a child than I am now.

Looking back at my childhood I do remember spending lots of time outdoors and

playing with other children, which were mainly younger than me. I can't remember my

childhood in great detail, but I can think of my summer holidays and staying outdoors

until late in the evening. My parents didn't worry about me at all because I would

always play in the street with the neighbouring kids, not too far from home.
On hot summer days, we would always play together late in the afternoon when
temperatures were not too high. In the evenings, we would play hide-and-seek,
and other games, which I can barely remember now.
Another thing I really enjoyed doing was riding my bike alone or with other children.
Unfortunately, my dad sold my bike when I went to high school and I haven't been
on a bike ever since. Honestly, I was very keen on cycling back then, but I'm a bit
scared to get on a bike now because I have long forgotten how to do it without
falling.
Sometimes I wish I could remember more from my childhood, but as I get older, I
realise that my memories have faded with time.
Well, to be honest, I'm not a very nostalgic person and I don't look back on my life that often. I tend to
think more about the future than about the past. Having said that, I have some vague memories of
my childhood.

Occasionally, I may think about my childhood, especially when I try to find out what kind of person I used
to be or whether I was happier as a child than I am now.

Looking back at my childhood I do remember spending lots of time outdoors and playing with other
children, which were mainly younger than me. I can't remember my childhood in great detail, but I can
think of my summer holidays and staying outdoors until late in the evening. My parents didn't worry about
me at all because I would always play in the street with the neighbouring kids, not too far from home.

On hot summer days, we would always play together late in the afternoon when temperatures were not
too high. In the evenings, we would play hide-and-seek, and other games, which I can barely
remember now.

Another thing I really enjoyed doing was riding my bike alone or with other children. Unfortunately, my
dad sold my bike when I went to high school and I haven't been on a bike ever since. Honestly, I was
very keen on cycling back then, but I'm a bit scared to get on a bike now because I have long forgotten
how to do it without falling.

Sometimes I wish I could remember more from my childhood, but as I get older, I realise that my
memories have faded with time.
Ex: Find in the text words or expressions which mean:

 - 3-12 years old: childhood

 having a feeling of sadness mixed with pleasure when you think of
happy times in the past (adjective): nostalgic
 - to think about something in your past (phrasal verb): look back
(on something)
 - not clear or not in great detail (collocation) : a vague memory
 When a memory becomes less clear and accurate (collocation):
My memories have faded
family members
• A half-brother is someone who shares only one parent with you; either his mother or his father is your biological parent as well. Hence the
term half-brother. A stepbrother, on the other hand, has no blood connection with either of your biological parents.

• So, in a nutshell, a stepbrother has no blood connection with you, but a half-brother shares your bloodline with only one of your two
parents. He is the child of your stepmother or stepfather from his or her previous relationship. The same distinction applies to your
stepsister and your half-sister

• An example of a half-brother is when your parents separate, and your father remarries. If he has a son with his new wife, he is your half-
brother. In the same way, your mother could have a child with a new husband – this would also be your half-brother.

• Take A Quiz
• Now if your father’s new wife (your stepmother) also has a son from her previous marriage, then he’ll be your stepbrother because you
don’t have any blood connection with your father’s new wife.

• Another example of a stepbrother could be an adopted son of your parents. So, for instance, if your parents adopted a child before they
conceived you, will also make him your stepbrother, because there is no blood connection.

• There are some nuances between the half-brothers or half-sisters. If you share a common biological father, then he/she will be your paternal
half-sibling. Similarly, if you share a common biological mother, then he/she will be your maternal half brother or sister.

• Foster Siblings
• A foster brother is a yet another nuance that brings a bit of complexity to the step-sibling relationships. Technically speaking, a foster
brother/sister is a child that was raised by your parents for some time but was neither their biological child nor legally adopted. The fact the
child was raised in the family makes him your foster brother. Sometimes orphan kids are raised together as a family unit by some
philanthropic organizations like an SOS Village. Kids raised in these kinds of foster homes are called foster brothers or sisters.
a) husband and wife
b) a son of your sister or brother, or a son of the sister or brother of your
husband or wife
c) A person’s brother or sister of the same parents
d) grandfather’s father
e) the son of a person’s son or daughter
f) a member of your family, especially one who does not live with you,
g) a daughter of your brother or sister, or a daughter of your husband’s or
wife’s brother or sister
h) one of the two children who are born to the same mother at the same
time
i) If a child does not have siblings
Match the family members with their
meanings
1 Sibling
2 Grandson
3 married couple
4 Relative
5 Nephew
6 Niece
7 Great grandfather
8 Only child
9 Twin
1 Sibling c) A person’s brother or sister of the same parents

2 Grandson e) the son of a person’s son or daughter

3 married couple a) husband and wife

4 Relative f) a member of your family, especially one who does not live with you,

5 Nephew b) a son of your sister or brother, or a son of the sister or brother of your husband or
wife

6 Niece g) a daughter of your brother or sister, or a daughter of your husband’s or wife’s brother or
sister

7 great grandfather d) grandfather’s father

8 only child i) If a child does not have siblings

9 twin h) one of the two children who are born to the same mother at the same time
Same exercise
10 Adoptive parent
11 Mother-in-law
12 Daughter-in-law
13 Stepmother
14 Stepchild
15 Half-brother
16 Orphan
17 Teenager
j) the mother of your spouse

k) a child of your husband or wife by an earlier marriage

l) a child who does not have parents

m) the woman who is married to your father but who is not your real mother

n) a person who is between 13 and 19 years old

o) a brother who has either the same mother or the same father as you

p) a mother or father who has adopted a child

q) the woman who is married to your son

10 Adoptive parent p) a mother or father who has adopted a child
11 Mother-in-law j) the mother of your spouse
12 Daughter-in-law q) the woman who is married to your son
13 Stepmother m) the woman who is married to your father but
who is not your real mother
14 Stepchild k) a child of your husband or wife by an earlier
marriage
15 Half-brother o) a brother who has either the same mother or
the same father as you
16 Orphan l) a child who does not have parents
17 Teenager: n) a person who is between 13 and 19 years old
• Hobbies /Interests
Talking about your hobbies

• People often use the word ‘interests’ to replace hobbies.

 I enjoy drawing
 I enjoy hiking
 I am into website design
 I’m interested in local history
Painting board games Fishing cooking

gardening drawing Crafting Writing stories / poetry

Collecting antiques / coins Chilling with friends Knitting

Working out Traveling Volunteering hiking

website design diving chess lie down and meditate

Put these words/phrases in the correct category.

• Social activities :

• Creative activities :

• Indoor activities :

• Outdoor activities :
• Social activities : Chilling with friends board games
Volunteering chess
• Creative activities : Painting drawing
Writing stories / poetry Crafting website design

• Indoor activities : cooking knitting lie down

and meditate
• Outdoor activities : Fishing gardening
Working out Traveling hiking diving
Collecting antiques / coins
Choose two items / tools from the box which are used in
each activity (a- i).

a) Gymnastics :
b) Scuba Diving :
c) Fishing
d) Walking
e) Photography
f) Do-It-Yourself :
g) painting :
h) Cycling :
2 Choose two items / tools from the box which are used in
each activity (a- i).

• helmet brush tracksuit treadmill hook googles

• hummer sneakers wet suit bait camera
• cloth flash disk backpack cap screw driver
Asking about interests / hobbies

What do you like doing?

What sort of hobbies do you have?
What do you get up to in your free time?

what do you like to do for fun?

How to reply?

When I have some spare time,

I enjoy being physically active, and spend a lot of
time playing sports and team games.
Like Doing vs Like To Do
•

• Like + gerund – I like swimming

• Like + infinitive – I like to swim

More advanced expressions:

I’m interested in + noun / gerund

I’m keen on + noun / gerund

 be into

• When I was young, I was really into my stamp

collection. I took it really seriously.

• Meaning: if you’re into something, you’re really

enjoying it
 get into

• Many people got into cooking during the

lockdown and learnt how to make bread.

• Meaning: to become interested in something

 take up

After enjoying taking photographs for a few years, I’ve

decided to take up photography as a serious hobby.

Meaning: to begin, to start a hobby

sign up for / subscribe to

• I’ve decided to sign up for / subscribe to a gym

membership to prepare for my cycling season.

• Meaning: to enrol or register for something

• Ex: Read these descriptions about some
people’s interests and complete them with the
name of the corresponding hobby.
Example:

I got into this passion when my elder brother took me to

a concert. Since then, I have always wanted to join a
band. If I spend too much time on my own, I get lonely
so it’s nice to meet the other members of our band and
practice two or three times a week.
Example:

I got into this passion when my elder brother took me to

a concert. Since then, I have always wanted to join a
band. Now, if I spend too much time on my own, I get
lonely so it’s nice to meet the other members of our
band and practice two or three times a week.
1 For fun, I like _____________. I’ve always
liked to do since I took an art class in school. I
like to work cartoon characters. Sometimes I sell
my art if it’s good enough. I don’t like to be
outdoors too much because it’s too much work. I
like to stay indoors.
1 For fun, I like painting or drawing. I’ve
always liked to do since I took an art class in
school. I like to work cartoon characters.
Sometimes I sell my art if it’s good enough. I
don’t like to be outdoors too much because it’s too
much work. I like to stay indoors.
Ex: Read the descriptions again. What adjective (s) best describes
each hobby

1 Unusual intellectual lucrative other

2 I really believe that ____________can
help you live a long and healthy life. As we
get older we need to have more strength to do
daily things in our life.
2 I really believe that going to the gym can
help you live a long and healthy life. As we
get older we need to have more strength to do
daily things in our life.
Ex: Read the descriptions again. What adjective (s) best describes
each hobby

2 quiet useful exciting other

3 Once or twice a month, I go to different areas of the
city and look for interesting pictures to take. I’ve been
interested in _________________since I was young,
when my dad bought me a camera for my birthday. I
like it because I can express myself through pictures.
Anyone can take up this hobby, but you need to use
your imagination to find interesting shots.
3 Once or twice a month, I go to different areas of the
city and look for interesting pictures to take. I’ve been
interested in photography since I was young, when my
dad bought me a camera for my birthday. I like it
because I can express myself through pictures. Anyone
can take up this hobby, but you need to use your
imagination to find interesting shots.
Ex: Read the descriptions again. What adjective (s) best describes
each hobby

3 creative cheap lifelong other

4 As far as I’m concerned, doing ____________ is a
very rewarding and satisfying hobby. I have made some
really beautiful chairs and a bookcase for our home.
Whether you’re planning to create furniture for your
home or starting a business out of it, learning the basics
about woodworking is crucial. So I never stop learning!
4 As far as I’m concerned, doing carpentry is a very

rewarding and satisfying hobby. I have made some really

beautiful chairs and a bookcase for our home. Whether

you’re planning to create furniture for your home or

starting a business out of it, learning the basics about

woodworking is crucial. So I never stop learning!

Ex: Read the descriptions again. What adjective (s) best describes
each hobby

4 fascinating harmless lifelong other

5 __________________ is a fun and addictive hobby that
explores history, geography, art and politics. It is a great hobby to
encourage you to get in touch with people to share and exchange
your collections. It’s an activity away from technology that can
connect children to the older generation, who may have also
collected when they were younger. On the other hand, it is a very
difficult type of hobby as it requires a lot of patience.
5 Stamp collecting is a fun and addictive hobby that explores
history, geography, art and politics. It is a great hobby to
encourage you to get in touch with people to share and exchange
your collections. It’s an activity away from technology that can
connect children to the older generation, who may have also
collected when they were younger. On the other hand, it is a
very difficult type of hobby as it requires a lot of patience.
Ex: Read the descriptions again. What adjective (s) best describes
each hobby

5 relaxing time-consuming
unsociable other
6 What I love about hand-building __________________is
that it feels like sculpting. Your hands are your main tools, and
you use a variety of techniques to build your pots with your
hands. I sometimes get frustrated with my efforts. I look at the
results and think it looks terrible, but then I remind myself that
I am still learning.
6 What I love about hand-building pottery is that it feels
like sculpting. Your hands are your main tools, and you use a
variety of techniques to build your pots with your hands. I
sometimes get frustrated with my efforts. I look at the results
and think it looks terrible, but then I remind myself that I am
still learning.
Ex: Read the descriptions again. What adjective (s) best describes
each hobby

6 practical relaxing artistic other

• Ex: Read the descriptions again. What adjective (s) best describes
each hobby
Ex: Read the descriptions again. What adjective (s) best describes
each hobby
1 unusual intellectual lucrative other

2 quiet useful exciting other

3 creative cheap lifelong other
4 fascinating harmless lifelong other
5 relaxing time-consuming unsociable other
6 practical relaxing artistic other
• talk about hobbies at length.

• Work on the example below and complete the

information
What – …………………………………………

Where – …………………………………………

When – …………………………………………

Who with– …………………………………………

How often – …………………………………………

Why – …………………………………………
Saying how long
• I started ……… when …….

• I have been learning ………….

• I decided to …………..

• My best friend got me into ……..

• I have been trying to …..

I like to paint in my free time. I can’t paint in the house because my parents
say it is too messy, all the paint and oil, so I use the shed in our garden. I
can sit in there and no one disturbs me. I usually like to paint whenever I
have some spare time. I like painting because I can just lose myself in it, I
just get lost in the moment and forget time completely. It is very relaxing
and time just flies by very quickly. I like to spend time on my own and
paint. I like to be able to think and be quiet. I like to be on my own and
think. I try to paint whenever I can but I have exams coming up so I don’t
have as much free time any more. But after my exams, I will probably get
back into it.
What – I like to paint

Where – in my shed in the garden

When – at the weekend and whenever I have spare time

Who – by myself it is a very solitary hobby

How often – whenever I can!

Why – I just lose myself in the moment, it is very relaxing and

time just flies by
These are some useful adjectives to describe your interest or
hobby:
creative fascinating practical
cheap unusual interesting
fun relaxing quiet
harmless lifelong enjoyable
passionate intellectual exciting
useful satisfying artistic
My favourite hobby is painting. Whenever I have my mind, I sit
down with a pencil. The natural scenery attracts me a lot, I try to
put it on paper. One day after seeing my hobby, my father gave
me a brush and a cloth. Then what was how my child’s heart got
excited!

I made a lot of pictures. I displayed these pictures in school on

the occasion of Children’s Day. Many people praised my art.
Then I started participating in painting competitions in various
places. I received the first prize twice.
• Talking about hobbies is a topic that could come up in the IELTS test
• Interviewers could also bring it up in an interview for college or a
job.
• talk about hobbies at length.
Exercise: Write a paragraph about your free-time interest.

• Go into some detail about what it is.

• Tell us the following information:

• Where & When do you do it?

• Who do you do it with?

• Think of three reasons why you like this hobby.

talk about hobbies at length.

• To talk about the hobby in detail

• say why you like it — you should try to give three
reasons if you can
• But also do the following:
• Describe your feelings about the interest — how do you
feel when you do it?
• Describe your opinions about it — the more opinions
you have the better
• And to tell a story about it
• Apart from painting, I also love kite flying. I enjoy seeing the
colourful kites in the sky. When I bite the kite of others with my
kite, there is a feeling of victory. I also feel that my kite flew at
the highest height.
Let’s look at another example.

• I am an avid reader and every weekend you can find me with my nose
in a book. There is nothing I like better than curling up with a good
book in my favourite armchair and losing myself in whatever world
the book is set in.
• I love reading because I can enter other worlds and meet all these
amazing characters. I love seeing all of the scenes play out in my
imagination.
Grammar

• use of Past Simple, Used to and Would

• for past habits and routines
Ex: decide if each of these sentences applies to you or not.

1 I didn’t use to make my own bed when I was twelve.

2 I used to be really messy, but now I am more organized.

3 I used to stay up late on weekdays.

4 I would watch horror movies with my siblings on Saturday nights.

5 I used to enjoy going to clubs, but now I prefer to do other activities.

6 I didn’t use to go outside alone in my childhood.

7 When I was young, I would play soccer after school.”

8 On Sundays, after my football match, I would often come home exhausted.

1 What does this sentence mean?

I didn’t use to smoke.

a. I smoked in the past but now I don’t.

b. I smoke now, but I didn’t in the past.
c. I smoke now and I also smoked in the past.
1 What does this sentence mean?

I didn’t use to smoke.

a. I smoked in the past but now I don’t.

b. I smoke now, but I didn’t in the past.
c. I smoke now and I also smoked in the past.
2. Which sentence is NOT correct?

a. My grandmother would have long, fair hair.

b. We would go swimming every Friday.

c. We would go to the zoo every summer.

2. Which sentence is NOT correct?

a. My grandmother would have long, fair hair.

b. We would go swimming every Friday.

c. We would go to the zoo every summer.

3. Which sentence is correct?

a. I never use to like cabbage.

b. I didn’t used to like cabbage.

c. I didn’t use to like cabbage.

3. Which sentence is correct?

a. I never use to like cabbage.

b. I didn’t used to like cabbage.

c. I didn’t use to like cabbage.

• Correct the false sentences
4. Which sentence is correct?

a. My brother and I often would fight.

b. Often my brother and I would fight.

c. My brother and I would often fight.

• Correct the false sentences
4. Which sentence is correct?

a. My brother and I often would fight.

b. Often my brother and I would fight.

c. My brother and I would often fight.

5. Which sentence is correct?

a. My brother would be very short when he was

younger.

b. I would often play by myself when I was younger.

c. There would be a post office on this street, but it’s

not there now.
5. Which sentence is correct?

a. My brother would be very short when he was

younger.

b. I would often play by myself when I was younger.

c. There would be a post office on this street, but it’s

not there now.
• Correct the false sentences
6 Which sentence is correct?

a. -I studied very hard last year

b. I used to study very hard last year.

c. I would study very hard last year.

6 Which sentence is correct?

a. I studied very hard last year

b. I used to study very hard last year.

c. I would study very hard last year.

• (simple past to say what happened at a past time)
7 Which sentence is correct?

a. I worked in this company for 17 years.

b. I used to work in this company for 17 years

c. I would work in this company for 17 years

7 Which sentence is correct?

a. I worked in this company for 17 years.

b. I used to work in this company for 17 years

c. I would work in this company for 17 years

(simple past to say how long)

8 Which sentence is correct?

a. Mary went to London five times last year

b. Mary used to go to London five times last year

c. Mary would go to London five times last year

8 Which sentence is correct?

a. Mary went to London five times last year

b. Mary used to go to London five times last year

c. Mary would go to London five times last year

(simple past to say how often)

9 Which sentence is not correct?

On winter days, ______

a. ____we used to sit around the fire and tell stories

b. ____ we would sit around the fire and tell stories

c. ____ we sat around the fire and tell stories

9 Which sentence is not correct?

On winter days, ______

a. ____we used to sit around the fire and tell stories

b. ____ we would sit around the fire and tell stories

c. ____ we sat around the fire and tell stories

10 Which sentence is not correct?

When I was a child,

a. ____my sister used to take me to the cinema every Sunday.

b. ____ my sister took me to the cinema every Sunday.

c. _____ my sister would take me to the cinema every Sunday.

10 Which sentence is not correct?

When I was a child,

a. ____my sister used to take me to the cinema every Sunday.

b. ____ my sister took me to the cinema every Sunday.

c. _____ my sister would take me to the cinema every Sunday.

11 Which sentence is correct ?

a. I used to have a motorbike, but I sold it.

b. I had a motorbike, but I sold it.

c. I would have a motorbike, but I sold it.

11 Which sentence is correct ?

a. I used to have a motorbike, but I sold it.

b. I had a motorbike, but I sold it.

c. I would have a motorbike, but I sold it.

12 Which sentence is correct ?

a. My grandfather was a teacher but he's now retired.

b. My grandfather would be a teacher but he's now retired.

c. My grandfather used to be a teacher but he's now retired.

12 Which sentence is correct ?

a. My grandfather was a teacher but she's now retired.

b. My grandfather would be a teacher but she's now retired.

c. My grandfather used to be a teacher but she's now retired.

13 Which sentence means: ‘I am familiar with / I am accustomed to working
alone’?

a. I used to work alone.

b. I am used to work alone.

c. I am used to working alone.

Which sentence means: ‘I am familiar with / I am accustomed to working alone’?

a. I used to work alone.

b. I am used to work alone.

c. I am used to working alone.

Decide whether “ used to” is Correct or Incorrect in these sentences.

1. When I was a child, my hair used to be much blonder than now. _______

2. I never used to go to football. I hate it. I can’t understand why people like it. _____

3. I used to like his music before he went all hip-hop. But now … ! _______

4. We used to visit my grandmother every weekend. I love listening to her stories.____

5. 'Didn't you use to wear glasses?' 'Yes, but I had an operation on my eyes.' _______

6. I used to walk to school. I don't like using public transport and my mum doesn't
have a car any more. _______
1. When I was a child, my hair used to be much blonder than now.
Correct
2. I never used to go to football. I hate it. I can’t understand why people
like it. Correct
3. I used to like his music before he went all hip-hop. But now … ! Correct
4. We used to visit my grandmother every weekend. I love listening to her
stories. Incorrect
5. 'Didn't you use to wear glasses?' 'Yes, but I had an operation on my
eyes.' Correct
6. I used to walk to school. I don't like using public transport and my mum
doesn't have a car any more. Incorrect
Ex: look at the sentences with ‘simple
past’, 'used to' and 'would' in the
exercises above. Complete the rules:
A form:
1 Used to:

used to + ____________________

The negative form : ____________ + verb (infinitive) .

2 Would :

would + ________________

The negative form : __________________

B Use:

Write “simple past”, “used to” or

“would” next to each statement:
a) ________________ is used to describe
past habits or past states that are now
finished.

b) _________________ refers to things

that happened at an earlier stage of one's
life, and are now finished.
c) ________________ is used simply to say
what happened at a past time, or how long it
took, or how many times it happened.

d) We can also use ___________________ to

describe past habits.
e) Both ____________ and ____________
can be used to refer to repeated actions and
events in the past.

f) __________sometimes suggests a feeling

of nostalgia so is often used for personal
reminiscences.
g) _____________ is often used in stories.

h) With _________________, there is an

idea that circumstances have changed.
a) ________________ is used to describe past habits or past states that are now finished.

b) _________________ refers to things that happened at an earlier stage of one's life,

and are now finished.

c) ________________ is used simply to say what happened at a past time, or how long it
took, or how many times it happened.

d) We can also use ____________________ to describe past habits.

e) Both ____________ and ____________ can be used to refer to repeated actions and
events in the past.

f) __________sometimes suggests a feeling of nostalgia so is often used for personal

reminiscences.

g) __________________ is often used in stories.

h) With _________________, there is an idea that circumstances have changed.

Correction:
A form:
1 Used to:
used to + ___ verb (infinitive)
The negative form : didn't use to _+ verb (infinitive) .
never used to + verb (inf)
2 Would :
would + ___verb (infinitive)
The negative form : rarely used in English.
B Use:
a) “used to” is used to describe past habits or past states that are now finished.
b) "Used to" refers to things that happened at an earlier stage of one's life, and are
now finished.
c) “Simple past” used simply to say what happened at a past time, or how long it
took, or how many times it happened.
d) We can also use would + infinitive to describe past habits.
e) Both “used to” and “would” can be used to refer to repeated actions and events
in the past.
f) “Would” sometimes suggests a feeling of nostalgia so is often used for personal
reminiscences.
g) “would” is often used in stories.
h) With “used to” , there is an idea that circumstances have changed.
c) “Simple past” used simply to say what
happened at a past time, or how long it took, or
how many times it happened.
a) “used to” is used to describe past habits or past states
that are now finished.

b) "Used to" refers to things that happened at an earlier

stage of one's life, and are now finished.

h) With “used to” , there is an idea that circumstances have

changed.

e) Both “used to” and “would” can be used to refer to

repeated actions and events in the past.
e) Both “used to” and “would” can be used to refer to
repeated actions and events in the past.

d) We can also use would + infinitive to describe

past habits.
f) “Would” sometimes suggests a feeling of nostalgia
so is often used for personal reminiscences.

g) “would” is often used in stories.

c) “Simple past” used simply to say what happened at a past time, or how long it took, or how
many times it happened.

a) “used to” is used to describe past habits or past states that are now finished.

b) "Used to" refers to things that happened at an earlier stage of one's life, and are now finished.

h) With “used to” , there is an idea that circumstances have changed.

e) Both “used to” and “would” can be used to refer to repeated actions and events in the past.

d) We can also use would + infinitive to describe past habits.

f) “Would” sometimes suggests a feeling of nostalgia so is often used for personal
reminiscences.

g) “would” is often used in stories.

One difference between used to and would is that would is not used
with stative verbs such as love, be, understand, and feel.

Compare these two sentences with the stative verb love:

When I was a student, I used to love sleeping late on the weekends.

(natural and grammatical)

*When I was a student, I would love sleeping late on weekends.

(awkward and ungrammatical)
• Match each sentence to the corresponding
use rule
Ex: Choose the correct words to complete each sentence.
a) used to b) use to c) didn’t use to
1 Why did people _______________ mend their clothes?

2 I _______________ like watching football, but now I do.

3 What did you _______________ like doing when you were young?

4 John _______________ like Mary, but he doesn’t now.

5 People ____________ produce as much rubbish as we do nowadays.

6 Did you _______________ collect anything when you were young?

Ex: Complete the sentence using the correct form of used to and one of the verbs in the box.
do sit play speak smoke buy have (x2)

1. He lived in Brazil until he was seven. He_________ Portuguese, but he's

forgotten a lot of it now.

2. We ___________ smartphones, or even internet in our houses. To go online

you had to go to an internet café or library or something.

3. She _______________ but she's given up now. She's really healthy these days.

4. We _______________ together when we were children, but I don't see them

much any more.
5. You used to live on the same road as me! _______________ sweets
in that shop on the corner?

6. She _______________ any sport at all, but now she's in the

basketball team and she loves it.

7. We always _________ on the bridge with our legs hanging down, and
throw sticks into the river.

8. I didn't recognise him because of his new beard. He

_______________ a beard! He looks completely different now.
Ex: Use either "used to" , “would” or the “Past Simple” to complete each of the
sentences.

1 I (see) _______________ Marcus at the library working hard. He told me to say hello to you.

2 She (be) _______________ a lot happier, but then she lost her job.

3 When I was little, I ( get up) ______________ and watch cartoons every Saturday morning.

4 There (be) __________ three restaurants in this town, but two closed down leaving only one.

5 You can see the field where they (fight) __________ the Battle of Harris Hill in 1509.

6 Did you (take) _______________ a lot of photos when you were in Moscow last year?
Ex: Use either "used to" , “would” or the “Past Simple” to complete each of the
sentences.

1 I saw Marcus at the library working hard. He told me to say hello to

you.
2 She used to be a lot happier, but then she lost her job.
3 When I was little, I would get up and watch cartoons every Saturday
morning.
4 There used to be three restaurants in this town, but two closed down
leaving only one.
5 You can see the field where they fought the Battle of Harris Hill in 1509.
6 Did you use to take a lot of photos when you were in Moscow last year?
Ex: Use either "used to" , “would” or the “Past Simple” to complete each of the
sentences.

7 How many hours a day did you (go) __________ to school when you were ten?

8 Children never (talk) ____________ so aggressively to their parents. It's terrible!

9 When I was young I (go) _____________ fishing with my father every summer.

10 Soldiers (build) ___________ this bridge near the end of the Second World War.

11 They (not eat) _______________ spicy food when they were young.

12 I can still remember how Michael was hardworking at university; he (study)

________until late at night.

7 How many hours a day did you use to go to school when you were
ten?
8 Children never used to talk so aggressively to their parents. It's
terrible!
9 When I was young I would go fishing with my father every summer.
10 Soldiers built this bridge near the end of the Second World War.
11 They did not use to eat spicy food when they were young.
12 I can still remember how Michael was hardworking at university; he
would study until late at night.
Ex: use simple past, would and used to to talk about past habits and routines. Discuss the
following points

1.healthy eating
2.stress
3.working conditions
4.means of transport
5.relationships
6.habits
Questions Practice: Answer these questions about yourself
Pair work: Ask your partner five questions. They answer and then switch roles

1.What used to be your biggest dream?

2. Where did you use to go on holiday?

3. Are there any foods or drinks that you used to hate when you were young that you like now?

4. What did you use to look like when you were a teenager?

5. What hairstyle did you use to have?

6. What clothes did you use to have?

7. Were you badly behaved at school? What bad things did you use to do?

8. What did you use to do at the weekends?

10. How has the place where you grew up changed in your lifetime? There used to be a (park/playground etc.)

11. What did you use to be scared of?

12. What games did you use to play when you were a child?