Objectives & Sequence: This lesson is intended to be used as a preview of Grammar 7-3.

Intro Student 1 Student 2

Students work in pairs and open the corresponding pages below.

Each page has two sections. Each section contains eight sentences. On Student One's page, the first section contains eight sentences about duration in the Past Simple tense. Student Two has sentences in the Present Perfect tense that have the same meaning as Student One's sentences.

As such, students take turns changing the sentences on their page to the opposing tense (Present Perfect → Past Simple or Past Simple → Present Perfect), trying to keep the same meaning. Ultimately, students should try to say the sentence that is on their partner's page.

Example

On Student One's page:

  1. I came to school at 8 AM.

On Student Two's page:

  1. I have been at school since 8 AM.

Student One's sentence is in the Past Simple, so he or she tries to make a sentence in the Present Perfect with the same meaning.

Student Two's tries to do the same but by making a Past Simple sentence that matches the meaning of the Present Perfect sentence on his or her page.

Students should check each other's sentences to ensure they match the ones on their pages.

  • Student One: "I have been at school since 8 AM."
  • Student Two: "Correct! My sentence is, 'I came to school at 8 AM."
  • Student One: "Correct!"

In the second section, Student One is given eight more sentences but this time in the Present Perfect Tense. Student Two's sentences are in the Past Simple.

Past Simple → Present Perfect Simple

How can you say the same meaning in the Present Perfect Simple tense?

  1. I came here two months ago.
  2. I met him in January.
  3. When did you start flying the V-tail Bonanza?
  4. It started raining this morning.
  5. I got / bought my computer two years ago.
  6. I became / got air sick three days ago.
  7. He started flying ten years ago.
  8. When did you start working as an Air Traffic Controller?

Present Perfect Simple → Past Simple

How can you say the same meaning in the Past Simple tense?

  1. I have been listening to 121.5Mhz for five minutes.
  2. He has been in this tower since May.
  3. How long have you been working on the procedures project?
  4. She has had a license since yesterday.
  5. She has been a flight surgeon for three years.
  6. I have had my certification since 2008.
  7. He has been flying since 2200.
  8. How long have you been a member of the ATC group?

Present Perfect Simple → Past Simple

How can you say the same meaning in the Past Simple tense?

  1. I have been here for two months.
  2. I have known him since January.
  3. How long have you been flying the V-tail Bonanza?
  4. It has been raining since this morning.
  5. I have had my computer for two years.
  6. I have been air sick for three days.
  7. He has smoked / has been smoking for ten years.
  8. How long have you worked / been working as an Air Traffic Controller?

Past Simple → Present Perfect Simple

How can you say the same meaning in the Present Perfect Simple tense?

  1. I started listening to 121.5Mhz five minutes ago.
  2. He joined this tower in May.
  3. When did you start working on the procedures project?
  4. She got a license yesterday.
  5. She became a flight surgeon three years ago.
  6. I got my certification in 2008.
  7. He went flying at 2200.
  8. When did you become a member of the ATC group?
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