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Worksheets

Preterite v. Imperfect

Total questions: 40

Worksheet time: 20mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

When talking about how someone felt, use_________

a)

The Preterite

b)

The Imperfect

2.

When talking about something that you and your friends always used to do, use the _________

a)

Imperfect

b)

Preterite

3.

When saying (in Spanish) that I went to my friend's house yesterday, use the ____________.

a)

Preterite

b)

Imperfect

4.

When saying (in Spanish) that my mom never swept the floor, use the _________.

a)

Preterite

b)

Imperfect

5.

Which past tense is used for single, completed actions?

a)

pretérito

b)

imperfecto

6.

Which past tense is used for abrupt or sudden actions?

a)

pretérito

b)

imperfecto

7.

Which past tense is used for repeated or habitual actions?

a)

pretérito

b)

imperfecto

8.

Which past tense is used for ongoing or in-progress actions?

a)

pretérito

b)

imperfecto

9.

Which past tense "sets the scene" or provides background information?

a)

pretérito

b)

imperfecto

10.

Which past tense is used when there is a specific end or beginning?

a)

pretérito

b)

imperfecto

11.

Which past tense is used when there is NO specific end or beginning?

a)

pretérito

b)

imperfecto

12.

Which past tense is used to express what one "used to do" or "would do" often?

a)

pretérito

b)

imperfecto

13.

Which past tense is used to express a series or sequence of completed actions?

a)

pretérito

b)

imperfecto

14.

If you were to write or say the following sentence in Spanish, would you need to use the preterite or imperfect? (Consider the uses of each tense.)


We went to the beach last summer.

a)

pretérito

b)

imperfecto

15.

If you were to write or say the following sentence in Spanish, would you need to use the preterite or imperfect? (Consider the uses of each tense.)


We went to the beach every summer.

a)

pretérito

b)

imperfecto

16.

If you were to write or say the following sentence in Spanish, would you need to use the preterite or imperfect? (Consider the uses of each tense.)


I ate dinner at 5:00.

a)

pretérito

b)

imperfecto

17.

If you were to write or say the following sentence in Spanish, would you need to use the preterite or imperfect? (Consider the uses of each tense.)


I always ate dinner at 5:00.

a)

pretérito

b)

imperfecto

18.

If you were to write or say the following sentence in Spanish, would you need to use the preterite or imperfect? (Consider the uses of each tense.)


She studied for three hours.

a)

pretérito

b)

imperfecto

19.

If you were to write or say the following sentence in Spanish, would you need to use the preterite or imperfect? (Consider the uses of each tense.)


We were studying while mom was cooking dinner.

a)

pretérito

b)

imperfecto

20.

If you were to write or say the following sentence in Spanish, would you need to use the preterite or imperfect? (Consider the uses of each tense.)


They went / would go to the movies often.

a)

pretérito

b)

imperfecto

21.

If you were to write or say the following sentence in Spanish, would you need to use the preterite or imperfect? (Consider the uses of each tense.)


Everyone woke up late this morning.

a)

pretérito

b)

imperfecto

22.

If you were to write or say the following sentence in Spanish, would you need to use the preterite or imperfect? (Consider the uses of each tense.)


I called you twice.

a)

pretérito

b)

imperfecto

23.

If you were to write or say the following sentence in Spanish, would you need to use the preterite or imperfect? (Consider the uses of each tense.)


First I woke up, then I brushed my teeth.

a)

pretérito

b)

imperfecto

24.

If you were to write or say the following sentence in Spanish, would you need to use the preterite or imperfect? (Consider the uses of each tense.)


When I was six years old, I was really shy.

a)

pretérito

b)

imperfecto

25.
I used to eat candy.
a)
pretérito
b)
imperfecto
26.
I ate 4 pieces of candy.
a)
pretérito
b)
imperfecto
27.
She ran 5 miles yesterday.
a)
pretérito
b)
imperfecto
28.
He ran a mile every morning
a)
pretérito
b)
imperfecto
29.
I was a happy child.
a)
pretérito
b)
imperfecto
30.
When they were little, they liked jumping rope.
a)
pretérito
b)
imperfecto
31.
He mowed the lawn.
a)
pretérito
b)
imperfecto
32.
He was mowing the lawn.
a)
pretérito
b)
imperfecto
33.
She wanted to go shopping. 
a)
pretérito
b)
imperfecto
34.
He started to cry during the movie.
a)
pretérito
b)
imperfecto
35.
She woke up, got dressed, and went to school.
a)
pretérito
b)
imperfecto
36.
It was 4 o'clock.
a)
pretérito
b)
imperfecto
37.
He finally finished writing the essay.
a)
pretérito
b)
imperfecto
38.
Suddenly, the phone rang.
a)
pretérito
b)
imperfecto
39.
He was a tall, handsome boy who used to collect stamps.
a)
pretérito
b)
imperfecto
40.

What time period do the preterite and the imperfect represente?

a)

present

b)

past

c)

future