PRACTICE ON PAST SIMPLE

The Nightmare before Christmas

The Nightmare before Christmas is a Christmas film, which was made in 1994. Its a cartoon and a musical. This cartoon is very different from a Disney cartoon. Disney cartoons are very sweet but this cartoon is strange and clever.

Read about the story and fill in the gaps with the
past tenses.
Jack Skellington (be)the Pumpkin King, the King of Halloween. All the people in Haloween town (love). Him, because he (be)very good at frightening people. But Jack (be).bored. he was tired of frightening people. He (want).to do something different. One day he (walk)..into Christmastown. Here was something different that he didnt understand and he was very excited. He (watch).the people in Christmastown preparing for Christmas. He (return)..to Halloween town and (decide).to arrange Christmas with his Halloween friends. THEY (TRY)..TO MAKE PRESENTS AND DECORATIONS. THE KIDNAPPED Santa Claus and Jack tried to be Santa Claus. With his dog Zero he (deliver)..presents to children. But Jack and the people from Halloween town (be)..very bad at making Christmas. They didnt know how to make Christmas. When they tried to make Christmas decorations they were like spiders. When they tried to play Jingle Bells they (play)a sad tone. Their presents (frighten) little children. Jack became the Pumpkin King again because he was very bad at being Santa Claus and very good at being the King of Halloween. Watch the movie and write a small summary describing what happened. Complete the following sentences using a verb from below in Simple Past and did (not) if necessary. Leave, wake up, keep, eat, catch, know, go, put, become, drink, choose, tell, sleep, grow, have, run, see, understand 1. When he.up he..a famous comedian.

2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

He.to school by bus yesterday. He was exhausted and so heten hours straight. He felt sick because hea whole bottle of whisky. I him running down the street. He .me..at 6:30 am. I had an early train to catch. 7. I .what you said perfectly. 8. He stayed out all night and he..a terrible cold. 9. Wheres John? Hea minute ago. 10. Where.you.my umbrella? 11. We had to decide between the cinema or the pub. I to go to the pub. 12. Mark..me a secret last night. 13. It was a very easy question. I .the answer. 14. I didnt know it was your book and I ..it. 15. I ..too much last night and now I feel sick. Change the sentences into the a) negative and b) interrogative 1. Terry ran across the road quickly. a. b. 2. He bought some new clothes at the weekend. a. b. 3. She had breakfast at 9 oclock. a. b. 4. The police caught the bank robbers. a. b. 5. She preferred the white shirt to the blue one. a. b. 6. They sold their boat last month. a. b. 7. Their mother made them some sandwiches a. b. 8. Dad drove them to the swimming pool. a. b. 9. Wendy saw the postman outside the house. a. b. 10. The children traveled by boat. a. b.

 Use the past simple to form questions, and then give answers, as in the example. Example: you / understand her speak / very good English Did you understand her? Yes, she spoke very good English 1. he / talk to the manager? Speak / to him a few days ago .. Yes, he.. 2. he / give them any money? Spend / to him a few days ago . Yes, he. 3. Mandy / fall off her bike? Break / her arm . Yes, and she 4. you / go to the book shop? Buy / some very good books . Yes, and I 5. they / have a good time? Dance / all night at the disco . Yes, they 6. your mother / do all the shopping? Go / to the supermarket early this morning Yes, she.

PROJECT
Write a paragraph about Halloween. Questions to have in your mind 1. What kind of celebration is it? 2. Where do people celebrate it? 3. How do they celebrate it? 4. When do they celebrate it?

Read the news. What do you think about it?

Choose an opinion from the Reaction Box.

Do you believe in Santa Claus?

Last year Santa was the subject of a debate. A debate is a formal argument. Teams argue, and judges choose the winner of the argument. At the

final round of the national college debate tournament in America two teams debated about Santa Claus. One team argued that Santa is good. They argued that he gives presents to children and is good at making people happy. But one team argued that Santa is bad. They argued that children want presents because of Santa and that children do not learn that it is also important to give presents because they do not know that their parents give them the presents. Children think the presents come from Santa Claus. Who do you think was the winner of the debate? The team against Santa!

Reaction Box What do you think? Santa Claus isnt real

I like getting presents, but I like giving presents too. You dont have to believe in Santa to have a happy Christmas. At Christmas the presents are the most important thing. I never believed in Santa Claus. I wouldnt like to have Christmas without Santa Claus.