Did our Preterit vs Imperfect game pay off? Do the test!

Question

So you think you might have a handle on the differences between the imperfect past tense and the preterite past? Did our Pret vs Imp game pay off?

Click here and take a short test: Pret vs Imp

Let us know how you get on

Well I haven't studied the differences between Pret & Imp yet but I got 80% so I better study that lesson now :red: thanks for the test Kiwi Girl ;)) - 00b6f46c, Nov 17, 2010

ja ja - nice fluke or maybe you've learnt by osmosis :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 17, 2010

jajaja - 00b6f46c, Nov 17, 2010

if you want some practice come and join in with the game :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 17, 2010

Answer 1

I got 85% and all my answers were right. This is why:

I was in the principal's office frequently.

• Estuve con frecuencia en la oficina del director.
• Estaba con frecuencia en la oficina del director.

Without a context, both answers make sense!

You wrote to Mom every week, I heard.

• Escribiste a tu madre todas las semanas, tengo entendido.
• Escribías a tu madre todas las semanas, tengo entendido.

I think that the first option above is the closest one as a translation, but both answers are correct, and both can be a proper translation perfect depending on the context (which is not provided). According to that page, the one I would have said in a real conversation is wrong. Hahaha.

When she was younger I didn't kiss her.

• Cuando ella era joven, no la besé.
• Cuando ella era joven, no la besé.

Here, again, I would go for "besé", although "besaba" is also a correct sentence. The page says I'm wrong. Obviously, the point of this test is not to speak like a native, but to get good scores by following the rules they recommend to get a good score, whether they make sense or not.

I wouldn't advise practising with kind of tests.

good point Lazarus - I definitely thought 'escribiste' would be more correct given the definite time frame, but there you go a classic example really of how the tense/mood can be used as the writer wishes to stress their particular thought.. :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 17, 2010

- often meaning that either/or would be correct. - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 17, 2010

Ok, so the 3 I didn't get correct, I'm not crazy...??!! Ok, that's still up for debate. Thanks for the information Lazarus!! - Jason7R, Nov 17, 2010

I have 95% ... - cogumela, Nov 17, 2010

Answer 2

Crud, I missed #s 3, 4, and 7!! I got an 85% on it. Thanks for the game Marie!! I believe it was Gekk who was the moderator for it, so thank you to him as well!!

Congrats, Jason! You're like a native. :) - cogumela, Nov 17, 2010

lol well done Jason, feel free to come back and practice :) and yes an enormous thank you to Gekko for his help and saintly patience lol :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 17, 2010

probably the only possible sentence where Gekko and saintly could go together ja ja ja :P - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 17, 2010

Answer 3

90%...I'll take it! Thanks for posting this!

lol, bien hecho! :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 17, 2010

Answer 4

100% - MC, thanks for this game. I didn't play it as often as I would have liked, but I followed it constantly with great interest.

well I'm still keen for some practice so feel free to pop back and add something to the game :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 17, 2010

Answer 5

I did OK, but I still need a lot of practice. I got an 85, but I really don't do past tense till next semester. Thanks for the game, Marie. I hope I can play again when it gets easier.

there's quite a short one there at the moment Sandy, see what you think :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 17, 2010

Answer 6

100%

there you go Lorenzo, you must think like a text book :) bien hecho! - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 17, 2010

Answer 7

90% thanks for the test.

well done :) - Kiwi-Girl, Nov 17, 2010

Answer 8

delete

Answer 9

I got only 75 %.. :(

I should practice more...

Thanks MC, for the link and for the game