Casa ESL · B1 Intermediate · Unit 11 of 20 · Step 2
Past habits and cultural experiences
Name
Date
Vocabulary
customs
nounTraditional practices or beliefs of a group of people.
"Every country has its own customs and traditions."
backpack
verbTo travel cheaply carrying your belongings in a rucksack.
"She used to backpack around Southeast Asia every summer."
landmark
nounA famous building or place that is easy to recognise.
"The Eiffel Tower is the most famous landmark in Paris."
hospitality
nounThe friendly and generous treatment of guests.
"The hospitality in that region was truly unforgettable."
authentic
adjectiveGenuine and true to its origins.
"We found an authentic Italian restaurant near the harbour."
souvenir
nounSomething you buy to remember a place you visited.
"I bought a small souvenir for my sister at the market."
abroad
adverbIn or to a foreign country.
"He used to live abroad when he was younger."
explore
verbTo travel through an area to learn about it.
"They would explore a different neighbourhood every weekend."
Grammar Focus
Used to / Would for past habits
'Used to + infinitive' describes past habits or states that are no longer true. 'Would + infinitive' describes repeated past actions (not states). Use 'used to' for both states and actions; use 'would' only for actions.
I used to travel every summer, but now I stay home.
She used to live in Tokyo. (state — cannot use 'would')
We would visit a new country every year when I was a child.
He didn't use to enjoy flying, but now he loves it.
Exercises
Exercise 1
Complete each sentence with 'used to' or 'would'. In some cases both are correct — choose the best option.
1. When I was young, my family go camping every August.
2. She live in Mexico City before she moved to London.
3. We eat at the same restaurant every Friday night.
4. I be afraid of flying, but I overcame my fear.
5. They spend hours exploring local markets on holiday.
Exercise 2
Choose the correct option to complete each sentence.
1. He ___ have a beard, but he shaved it off last year.
2. Every summer we ___ drive to the coast and stay for a week.
3. I didn't ___ like spicy food, but now I love it.
4. She ___ own a small café in the old town.
5. On rainy days, we ___ stay inside and play board games.
Reading
A Gap Year in South America
After finishing university, I spent a year travelling through South America. I used to wake up every morning without a plan and just explore whatever city I was in. In Colombia, I would visit a different coffee farm each week and learn about the harvest process. The people were incredibly warm — strangers would invite me into their homes for dinner. I used to be quite shy before that trip, but the experience changed me. I learned to speak basic Spanish, tried unusual foods, and made friends from all over the world. I didn't use to appreciate how different life could be in other countries. Now, years later, I still think about those months as the most important time of my life.
1. What did the writer use to do every morning during the trip?
2. How did the trip change the writer?
Speaking
Discuss these questions with a partner or your teacher.
Writing
Write 6–8 sentences about how your daily life was different five years ago. Use 'used to' and 'would' to describe your past habits and routines.
Example: Five years ago, I used to live in a small town near the coast. I would cycle to work every day because there was no bus service. I used to have lunch at a little café near the office. My colleagues and I would sometimes walk along the beach after work.
Answer Key — For Teacher Use
Exercise 1
1. would · 2. used to · 3. would · 4. used to · 5. would
Exercise 2
1. used to · 2. would · 3. use to · 4. used to · 5. would
Reading Comprehension
1. The writer used to wake up without a plan and explore whatever city they were in. · 2. The writer used to be quite shy, but the experience made them more open and they learned to appreciate different ways of life.