Preterite vs. Imperfect Activity Help

Question

So I need help with this activity in my Spanish summer packet. It's over when to use the preterite and when to use the imperfect. I'm supposed to conjugate the verbs that are in parenthesis to either imperfect or preterite.

Cuando yo (ser) joven, yo siempre (visitar) a mis abuelos en la costa oeste de Puerto Rico. Mis abuelos (vivir) en una pequeña casa que (estar) enfrente de una de las playas más bonitas en la isla. Cada vez que yo (llegar) mis abuelos (hacer) lo mismo: (preparar) una comida grande y me (preguntar) como las cosas me (ir) en la escuela. Yo (ir) a su casa por siete veranos consecutivos, hasta que ellos (decidir) mudarse a otra parte de la isla porque le (tener) miedo a las olas que a veces (ser) un poco grandes.

This is what my answers were. If they're wrong, please tell me what they should be and why. era, visitaba, vivieron, estaba, llegaba, hicieron, prepararon, preguntaron, iban, iba, decidieron, tenían, eran.

Also, can someone translate this part of the paragraph because I couldn't understand what it was trying to say: "...y me (preguntar) como las coasas me (ir) en la escuela."

Answer 1

Regarding your second question:

Also, can someone translate this part of the paragraph because I couldn't understand what it was trying to say: "...y me (preguntar) como las coasas me (ir) en la escuela."

"...and they (to ask) how things (to be) at school"

This should give you a hint.

I'll leave the rest for the other students to answer. I'd say you got about 40% right. - Gekkosan, Aug 7, 2017

go on, you know all the answrs.At least he has made an effort. - Mardle, Aug 7, 2017

Oh, yes. No issues with Rohan's question. I just think it's a good exercise for other students to pitch in. - Gekkosan, Aug 7, 2017

Yes we students need to try harder. Unless I am sure of my answers I don't like to give false hope. - Mardle, Aug 7, 2017

Answer 2

Welcome to the forum and thank you for making an effort with your work

I would have used imperfect for vivir,hacer preguntar and preparar. You use the imperfect to set the scene and for things you used to do. There are some good articles on this site.

I believe the phrase you are unsure of is a way of saying 'How are things [going for you] Im used to pasar being used.

However, if you need them all correct best wait for a native or more experienced linguist.

Buena suerte.

good answer , saff, I hadn't read you post and was saying the same as you did, nice - 006595c6, Aug 7, 2017

Answer 3

Cuando yo era joven, yo siempre visitaba a mis abuelos en la costa oeste de Puerto Rico. Mis abuelos vivían en una pequeña casa que estaba enfrente de una de las playas más bonitas en la isla. Cada vez que yo llegaba mis abuelos hacían lo mismo: preparaban una comida grande y me preguntaban como las cosas me iban en la escuela. Yo fui a su casa por siete veranos consecutivos, hasta que ellos decidieron mudarse a otra parte de la isla porque le tenían miedo a las olas que a veces eran un poco grandes.

Past simple is used to express something that happens in a moment in time. they decided to leave, they bought a new house....

the rest of the story tells us what was happening all the time.

Whenever you can use "I used to do that, I usually did that" use imperfect in Spanish. you used to visit them, they used to live there, they used to cook for you....

Answer 4

y me (preguntar) como las cosas me (ir) en la escuela."

They were asking you how you were doing at school.

You did a good job , nice attempt.

Welcome to the forum