How to talk about your achievements
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present perfect and past simple v achievement words; time phrases
A Vocabulary achievement words
1 Think of interesting things you've done in your life, OI
things you'd like to do. Tell a partner.
Examples I've learned to drive.
I'd like to climb Mount Everest.
2 Look at Dictionary entries opposite. Find these words.
1 the noun of achieve achievement
2 the opposite of fail
3 the opposite of keep trying
4 the noun of succeed
5 the adjective of succeed
6 a verb meaning to be able to do sth difficult
3 Write a second sentence with the same meaning, using
the word in blue. Use Dictionary entries to help.
1 He succeeded in getting a place. managed
He managed to get a place.
2 He managed to pass his exams. succeeded
He succeeded in ...
3 He kept trying. gave up
He never ...
4 The teachers are pleased with what he's achieved.
achievements
His teachers ...
5 He has succeeded in learning to write. successful
He has been ...
B
Read a newspaper article
4 Look at the photos in World's oldest primary pupil ...
opposite. Guess what the article is about. Compare with
a partner.
5 Read the article. Were your guesses correct?
6 Read the article again. Write true or false.
1 Kimani's parents wanted him to go to school. True
2 Kimani couldn't write before he started school.
3 Kimani teaches the children games.
4 He has learnt to read the bible.
5 There are no primary school students in the world
older than Kimani.
6 He has married a rich woman.
7 Discuss these questions with a partner.
1 Why was Kimani invited to speak in New York?
2 Why is Kimani's teacher pleased with his
achievements?
3 Why is free primary education important to Kimani?
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I can talk about my achievemen ts.
C Grammar present perfect
and past simple
8 Write the missing words in the grammar box.
past simple present perfect
Kimani arrived in New York Kimani has arrived in New York
yesterday. today.
I study much last week. I haven't studied much this week.
Did you achieve much last year? you achieved much this
year?
I Kenya in 2002. I've visited Kenya once in my life.
She phoned a few minutes ago. phoned three times in
the last few minutes.
What you learn when What you learnt since
you started? you started?
9 Look at the time expressions in blue in exercise 8.
Do they refer to a finished time or unfinished time?
Underline the correct words in the rules.
Rules Use the past simple/present perfect for past
actions which happened in a finished time.
Use the past simple/present perfect for past
actions which happened in an unfinished time.
10 Put the verb in the past simple or present perfect.
1 They've had a very successful year this year. have
2 They ____ a very successful year last year. have
3 She ____ much when she was at university.
not achieve
4 She ____ much since she started university.
not achieve
11 Match the time phrases with the sentences. Then match
the sentences with a and b in the grammar rule.
in the last few minutes in my /your life
1 I've never been to Africa. in my life
2 Your mum's just phoned.
3 Oh no, I've lost my passport!
4 Have you ever broken your leg?
Rule We often use the present perfect ...
a II] D to talk about experiences in life.
b DD to give news about recent events.
12 Use the rules in exercise 11 and make three true
sentences about you. Tell a partner.
More practice? Gramm.ax Bank » p.138.
BC Put it all together
13 Write notes about your achievements. Use some time
phrases from exercise 8. Discuss with a partner.
Example A What have you done this year?
B I've learnt some new songs on the guitar.
A Oh really? What songs have you learnt?
Tick ✓ the line.
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with a lot of help with some help on my own 29