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Preterit or imperfect (Ser & Estar)

Authored by Jesselya Mora

World Languages

Professional Development

Used 40+ times

Preterit or imperfect (Ser & Estar)
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18 questions

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1.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 5 pts

  Ayer no fui a clase porque _________________ enferma.

estaba

era

fui

estuve

Answer explanation

“Estar” is used to talk about current state or condition.

Imperfect is used for description, mental, physical and emotional states.

2.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 5 pts

  El año pasado, ________________ trabajando en Lima.

fui

era

estuve

estaba

Answer explanation

“Estar” is always used for Progressive Tenses (never “ser”).

Preterit is used because there is a specific time: “el año pasado”.

3.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 5 pts

  Ayer, la ceremonia ________________ en el Salón Azul.

fue

estaba

era

estuvo

Answer explanation

“Ser” is used to talk about events taking place. 

Preterit is used because there is a specific time: “ayer”.

4.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 5 pts

¿Qué país africano ______________ colonia española hasta 1968?

fue

estaba

estuvo

era

Answer explanation

“Ser” is used for description.

Preterit is used because there is a specific time when the action ends.

5.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 5 pts

    ¿De dónde _______________ tu profesora anterior?

fue

estuvo

era

estaba

Answer explanation

“Ser” is used for origin.

Imperfect is used for description.

6.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

30 sec • 5 pts

    ¿Quién _________________ el primer presidente de EE. UU.?

era

estuvo

fue

estaba

Answer explanation

“Ser” is used for occupations.

Preterit is used because this person was the first president in a specific time.

7.

MULTIPLE SELECT QUESTION

45 sec • 5 pts

Cuando ________________ en la universidad, estudiaba mucho. 

fui

era

estaba

fue

Answer explanation

Imperfect is used for “setting the scene”.  Also, because the time is unclear.

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