Casa ESL · B1 Intermediate · Unit 1 of 20 · Step 1
Present Perfect vs Past Simple
Name
Date
Vocabulary
achieve
verbTo succeed in reaching a goal through effort.
"She achieved her dream of running a marathon."
experience
nounSomething that happens to you or that you do.
"Living abroad was an incredible experience."
abroad
adverbIn or to a foreign country.
"Have you ever travelled abroad?"
opportunity
nounA chance to do something positive or useful.
"He had the opportunity to study in London."
accomplish
verbTo finish something successfully.
"We accomplished everything on our list."
milestone
nounAn important event or achievement in a person's life.
"Graduating from university was a major milestone."
attempt
verbTo try to do something, especially something difficult.
"I have attempted to learn the piano three times."
rewarding
adjectiveGiving you satisfaction or a sense of achievement.
"Teaching is a very rewarding profession."
Grammar Focus
Present perfect vs past simple
Use the present perfect (have/has + past participle) for experiences without a specific time, actions in an unfinished time period (today, this week), and results that matter now. Use the past simple for completed actions at a specific time in the past (yesterday, in 2019, last year).
I have visited Japan twice. (experience — no specific time)
I visited Japan in 2022. (specific time in the past)
She has written three novels this year. (unfinished time period)
She wrote her first novel when she was twenty-five. (specific past time)
Exercises
Exercise 1
Complete each sentence with the present perfect or past simple form of the verb in brackets.
1. I (never / try) sushi before.
2. She (move) to Berlin in 2020.
3. We (already / finish) the project.
4. They (visit) the Louvre when they were in Paris.
5. you ever (speak) in front of a large audience?
Exercise 2
Choose the correct tense to complete each sentence.
1. I ___ that film three times — it's my favourite.
2. We ___ to Italy last summer and loved it.
3. She ___ a lot of progress since January.
Reading
A Life of Adventures
My name is Kenji, and I have always loved trying new things. I have lived in four different countries and have learned to speak three languages. Last year, I moved to Portugal, where I took up surfing. It was terrifying at first, but after a few weeks I started to enjoy it. In 2021, I climbed Mount Fuji with my brother. That was one of the hardest things I have ever done, but the view from the top was unforgettable. I haven't decided where to go next, but I have already started saving money for my next adventure. I believe that experiences are more valuable than possessions.
1. How many languages has Kenji learned?
2. When did he climb Mount Fuji, and who did he go with?
Speaking
Discuss these questions with a partner or your teacher.
Writing
Write 6–8 sentences about your personal achievements and experiences. Use both the present perfect and the past simple. Include at least two examples of each tense.
Example: I have travelled to six countries in my life. The most memorable trip was when I went to Morocco in 2019. I have also learned to cook several dishes from different cultures. Last month, I made Thai curry for the first time, and my friends loved it.
Answer Key — For Teacher Use
Exercise 1
1. have never tried · 2. moved · 3. have already finished · 4. visited · 5. Have / spoken
Exercise 2
1. have seen · 2. went · 3. has made
Reading Comprehension
1. He has learned to speak three languages. · 2. He climbed Mount Fuji in 2021 with his brother.