Preterite vs Imperfect Quiz

Preterite vs Imperfect - Past Tenses Quiz

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Question 1

Choose between the preterite and imperfect tense of 'comer' to fill the gap. Esta mañana _______ huevos revuelto. This morning I ate scrambled eggs.

A	comía (imperfect) Hint: No, this was a one-off completed action so you should use the preterite tense, comí.
B	comí (preterite)

Question 1 Explanation:

Exactly, this was a one off competed action which is shown by using the preterite tense.

Question 2

Choose between the preterite and the imperfect of 'escribir' to fill the gap. Ayer ________ una carta mi mamá. Yesterday I wrote a letter to my mother.

A	escribía Hint: No, this is a one-off completed action so you would use the preterite. Ayer escribí una carta a mi mamá.
B	escribí

Question 3

Choose between the preterite and imperfect tense of 'llegar' to fill the gap. Ellos _____________ a las cinco de la tarde. They arrived at 5pm.

A	llegaron (preterite)
B	llegaban (imperfect) Hint: No, 5pm is very time specific and refers to a completed past action, so you should use the preterite tense, llegaron.

Question 3 Explanation:

Well done, 5pm is very time specific and signals a one-off completed past action so the preterite is the right tense to choose.

Question 4

Choose between the preterite and the imperfect of 'escribir' to fill the gap. Ayer _________ una carta a mi mamá cuando sonó el teléfono. Yesterday I was writing a letter to my mother when the phone rang.

A	escribía
B	escribí (preterite) Hint: No, this time the letter writing is mentioned, not as a completed event' but as something that was going on in the past, it sets the scene and the imperfect tense is just right for doing this. Escribía una carta a mi mamá cuando sonó el teléfono.

Question 4 Explanation:

Yes, this is not a completed action in the past, instead it is an action that was going on in the past, it sets the scene so the imperfect is the right tense to do this.

Question 5

Choose the preterite or imperfect past tense of 'ver' to fill the gap. Lo _____ anoche. I saw him last night.

A	veía (imperfect) Hint: No, seeing him was a completed past action and 'anoche' shows that it was completed within a specific time frame so the preterite would be a better choice. Lo vi anoche.
B	vi (preterite) Hint: Yes, seeing him was a completed past action and 'anoche' shows that it was completed within a specific time frame.

Question 6

Choose between the preterite and imperfect tense of 'ir' to fill the gap. Normalmente _____ a la playa pero hoy estuve enferma. Normally I would go to the beach but today I was sick.

A	fui (preterite) Hint: No, here you are referring to a habitual past action rather than a one-off event so you should use the imperfect tense, iría.
B	iría (imperfect) Hint: Yes, when you refer to habitual past actions the imperfect is the tense to use. This can often be translated as 'used to' or 'would'.

Question 7

Choose between the preterite and imperfect tense of 'presentar' to fill the gap. Anteayer la Comisión ________ tres propuestas. The day before yesterday the Commission came forward with (presented) three proposals.

A	presentó (preterite)
B	presentaba (imperfect) Hint: No, we're talking about a completed action here and 'anteayer' pinpoints a specific time so we need to use the preterite tense, presentó.

Question 7 Explanation:

Exactly, we're talking about a completed action here and 'anteayer' pinpoints a specific time so the preterite tense is perfect.

Question 8

Choose between the preterite and imperfect tense of 'vivir' to fill the gap. Mientras ____________ en Nicaragua, aprendí a hablar español. While we were in Nicaragua, I learnt to speak Spanish.

A	vivíamos (imperfect)
B	vivimos (preterite) Hint: No, the word 'mientras' highlights that we're talking about an unspecific time period here so you would use the imperfect, vivíamos.

Question 8 Explanation:

Well done, the word 'mientras' highlights the fact that we're talking about an unspecific time period so the imperfect is the right tense to use.

Question 9

Choose between the preterite and imperfect tense of 'soler' to fill the gap. _____________ comer frijoles y tortillas todos los días. We used to eat beans and tortillas every day.

A	solíamos (imperfect)
B	solimos (preterite) Hint: No, the phrase 'todos los días' is very unspecific and refers to a habitual action so you should use the imperfect tense, solíamos.

Question 9 Explanation:

That's right. Todos los días is very unspecific and refers to habitual action so the imperfect tense is the right choice.

Question 10

Choose the preterite or imperfect past tense of caminar to fill the gap. Ella ___________ por el parque. She walked through the park.

A	caminaba (imperfect) Hint: No, walking through the park can be viewed as a one-off, completed event so it would be better to use the preterite tense, caminó.
B	caminó (preterite)

Question 10 Explanation:

That's right, walking through the park can be seen as a one-off completed even, perfectly expressed with the preterite past tense.

Question 11

Choose between the preterite and imperfect tense of 'ir' to fill the gap. Un día _____ al museo. One day I went to the museum.

A	iría (imperfect) Hint: No, this is not a habitual past event, it is a one-off event so you would use the preterite tense, fui.
B	fui (preterite)

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