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Lesson 33
Module 09 · Reading Between the Lines
A2+

Talking AboutThe Past — Last Weekend

Past simple narratives · everyday A2 Key skills

60 min Core language · Past simple

A2 Key parts in this lesson

Reading 3Listening 2Writing 2 storySpeaking 4Vocabulary

Why this lesson now? Pushes Reading 3 into reading between the lines; recycles Listening 2 and Writing 2 story.

Your level · You are here

  1. A0/A1Beginner
  2. A1/A2Elementary
  3. A2/B1Pre-Intermediate
  4. B1/B1+Intermediate
  5. B2Upper-Intermediate
  6. C1Advanced
  7. C2Proficiency

Get ready · 01

5 min

Get talking

activity
Yesterday

Tell your partner three things you did yesterday.

reflection
Regular or irregular?

Look at these verbs: work, go, watch, have, study, see. Which ones are irregular in the past?

discussion
Last weekend

Ask a partner: 'What did you do last weekend?' Listen for the past simple verbs.

Grammar for the Exam · 02

8–10 min

Past simple: regular and irregular verbs

Grammar Bank: Past simple: regular and irregular verbsJumps straight to this rule — full explanation, examples & practice
Quick rule

Regular verbs: add -ed (worked, watched). Many common verbs are irregular (go → went, have → had, see → saw). Questions and negatives use did: Did you go? I didn't go.

How it works
  1. 1We use the past simple for finished actions and events at a definite past time (yesterday, last night, two days ago, in 2019, when I was a child).
  2. 2Regular verbs add -ed: work → worked, watch → watched, study → studied.
  3. 3Many everyday verbs are irregular and must be learned: go → went, have → had, see → saw, buy → bought, meet → met, get → got, eat → ate, take → took.
  4. 4In questions and negatives we use did + the base verb: Did you go out? / I didn't go out.
  5. 5The main verb never takes -ed in a question or negative.
Examples

  • I worked late on Friday, so I stayed at home on Saturday.

  • We went to the cinema and saw a new film.

  • Did you have a good weekend? — Yes, I met some old friends.

  • I didn't buy anything because the shops were closed.

Visual
Time expressions for past simple

Put a past time expression at the start or end of your sentence.

0%50%100%
  • 100%

    yesterday

    I called her yesterday.

  • 85%

    last night/week

    We ate out last night.

  • 60%

    two days ago

    The email arrived two days ago.

  • 40%

    in 2019

    I moved here in 2019.

  • 15%

    when I was young

    I lived in Rome when I was young.

Question 1.I ____ to the market yesterday morning.

Question 2.____ you watch the football last night?

Question 3.She ____ a new phone last week.

Question 4.We ____ have time for lunch — we were too busy.

Question 5.They ____ their grandparents on Sunday.

Question 6.I ____ my keys, so I couldn't get in.

Answer all items, then check.
Conversation Builder
Say it naturally

Build the sentence → spot the natural chunks → say it aloud → reply like a real conversation.

1.Build a past simple sentence

Step 1 · Build
Tap words below to build the sentence…

2.Build a past simple question

Step 1 · Build
Tap words below to build the sentence…

3.Build a past simple negative

Step 1 · Build
Tap words below to build the sentence…

Quick check 1.Which sentence is correct?

Answer all items, then check.

Exam Vocabulary · 03

5–7 min

Words & phrases to own

Open Vocabulary BankTap any word below to jump straight to its entry
1

go → went

past simple of 'go'

Use it

Say where you went last weekend.

2

have → had

past simple of 'have'

Use it

Say what you had for breakfast today.

3

see → saw

past simple of 'see'

Use it

Say the last film you saw.

4

meet → met

past simple of 'meet'

Use it

Say who you met last week.

5

then / after that

used to order events

Use it

Tell two things you did yesterday using 'then'.

6

finally

at the end of a story

Use it

Finish: 'Finally, I…'

Matching

What to do

Match each verb with its past simple form.

Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.

Answer all items, then check.
Use it now

Activation · Personalise · Recycle

Use the past simple chunks about your real life.

Ask your partner
Task 1

Ask your partner

  • Where did you go last weekend?
  • What did you have for dinner yesterday?
  • Who did you meet last week?
Usewenthadsawmet
Complete it
Task 2

"Yesterday I woke up, then I _____, and finally I ___."then / after that

Quick write
Task 3

Write about your last weekend using 'then', 'after that' and 'finally'.

Usethenafter thatfinally
Discuss
Task 4

Tell your partner about the best day you had last month.

Talk for 60 seconds with a partner.
Usewenthadsaw

Pronunciation for Speaking · 04

3–4 min

The -ed ending: /t/, /d/, /ɪd/

Say it like this

After p, k, s, ch → /t/ (worked). After voiced sounds → /d/ (stayed). After t/d → /ɪd/ (wanted, needed).

  • • worked /t/
  • • watched /t/
  • • stayed /d/
  • • played /d/
  • • wanted /ɪd/
  • • needed /ɪd/

Reading Skills · 05

8–10 min

A weekend to remember

Read along — listen to the text

Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.

Last Saturday I got up early and went for a run in the park. After that I had breakfast with my sister — we hadn't seen each other for a month, so we talked for two hours! In the afternoon we visited a small museum near the river. It wasn't very big, but the pictures were beautiful.

In the evening we met some friends at a new pizza restaurant in town. The pizza was excellent, and we stayed until nearly midnight. On Sunday I felt very tired, so I didn't do very much — I just watched a film and went to bed early.

It was a simple weekend, but I really enjoyed it. Sometimes the best weekends are the ones with no big plans at all.

Question 1.What did the writer do first on Saturday?

Question 2.Why did the writer and her sister talk for two hours?

Question 3.What did the writer think of the museum?

Question 4.Why did the writer feel tired on Sunday?

Question 5.What is the writer's opinion at the end?

Answer all items, then check.
True / False
Decide if each statement is True or False

Q1.The writer went for a run on Saturday morning.

Q2.The writer went to the museum with friends.

Q3.The writer felt very active on Sunday.

Answer all items, then check.
PET Reading Part 1

What to do

  1. 1.Read each short text.
  2. 2.Choose A, B or C.
Text message from a friend
Anna10:15
Hi! Sorry I missed your call yesterday — I was at the dentist all afternoon. I'll call you tonight after 7.

1.Why didn't the friend answer the call?

Notice on a café door

Café notice

CLOSED YESTERDAY because of a power cut. We are open again today from 8am. Sorry for any trouble.

2.Why was the café closed yesterday?

Email from a hotel
Riverside Hotel
Subject: Thank you for your stay
Thank you for staying with us last week. We hope you enjoyed your visit. Please leave us a review online.

3.What does the hotel want the guest to do?

Answer all items, then check.

Listening Skills · 06

8–10 min

Three short conversations about last weekend

Listening audio

Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.

Show transcript

Marta:Hi Ben! Did you do anything nice at the weekend?

Ben:Yes! I went to my cousin's wedding on Saturday. It was in a big garden — really lovely.

Marta:Sounds great. What about Sunday?

Ben:I didn't do much — I was too tired! I just stayed at home and cooked a big lunch.

Marta:That sounds perfect after a wedding. I went hiking with my brother — we walked for four hours!

Ben:Four hours? Did your legs hurt afterwards?

Marta:Yes, a lot! But the view from the top was amazing.

Question 1.Where did Ben go on Saturday?

Question 2.What did Ben do on Sunday?

Question 3.How long did Marta walk for?

Question 4.What did Ben cook on Sunday?

Question 5.How did Marta feel after the hike?

Answer all items, then check.
Tick what you hear

What to do

Tick the past simple verbs you hear in the conversation.

Answer all items, then check.

Exam Strategy · 07

5 min

Telling a simple past story

Strategy

Use one time expression, then order events with then / after that / finally.

Task

Listen or read for the ORDER of events, not just single facts.

Example

Last Saturday I got up early... After that I had breakfast... In the evening we met some friends.' Order: run → breakfast → museum → dinner.

Writing Task · 08

5 min

Put it in writing

Sentence transformation
Type a short answer (1–3 words)

Q1.Type ONE word: 'I ____ (see) a great film last night.'

Q2.Type ONE word: '____ you go out yesterday?'

Q3.Type ONE word: 'We ____ (not/have) time for coffee.'

Answer all items, then check.
Writing Part 2Write an article
≈100 words

Write a short message to a friend (25+ words). Tell them about your weekend. Say what you did, who you were with, and how you felt.

Your writing draft

0 words Saved
Show model answer & examiner comment

Hi Sam! I had a great weekend. On Saturday I went to the market with my sister and bought some fresh fruit. Then we cooked dinner together. On Sunday I just relaxed at home. I felt really happy after such a busy week. See you soon!

EX

Examiner comment

Reward range, organisation and style. Penalise lists, off-topic or under-length answers.
Mark scheme extract
5All content points covered; consistent style; range of structures; minor errors only.
3Content mostly covered; mostly suitable style; some range; errors don't stop the reader understanding.
1Limited content; intrusive errors; very basic structures; under-length.

Speaking Task · 09

10–15 min

Make it a real conversation

Open Expressions BankConversation phrases and functional language from across the course

Discuss with a partner: What was the best weekend you had this year? What did you do?

Useful phrases

PET Speaking Part 1 · Examiner script

What to do

Interview practice — answer each question with a full sentence and one extra detail.

Phase 1 — short factual questions

  1. 1.Examiner: "What did you do last weekend?"

    Tip: Give one activity + one detail.

  2. 2.Examiner: "Who did you spend time with?"

    Tip: Use 'with my…'.

  3. 3.Examiner: "Did you go anywhere last week?"

    Tip: Say yes/no + where + when.

Phase 2 — extended question (aim for 3–5 sentences)

Examiner: "Tell me about a day you enjoyed recently."

Tip: Use at least 3 past simple verbs and one time expression.

Show model extended answer

Last Saturday I really enjoyed myself. In the morning I went shopping with a friend, and then we had lunch in a new café near the park. In the afternoon we watched a film at home. It was a simple day, but I felt very relaxed.

Optional · Teacher-led

Teacher Activities

Extra practice with past simple storytelling. ~28 min total

Homework · 10

Take-home

Take it home

Self-study — everything you need is included below. All four skills are covered so you keep the spiral going between lessons; pick the order that suits you.

GrammarLanguage

Past simple gap-fill — complete the short diary entry with the correct past simple form.

Your response

0 words Saved

Materials included

Text

Last month I (1) ___ (visit) my old school friend in Leeds. We (2) ___ (not/see) each other for three years! We (3) ___ (go) to a café and (4) ___ (talk) for hours. In the evening we (5) ___ (watch) a film together. I (6) ___ (feel) really happy that day.

Attempt the task first, then check your answers.

WritingProductive

Write a short paragraph (35+ words) about a trip or day out you remember well.

Your response

0 words Saved

Materials included

Task

Write about a day or trip you remember. Say where you went, who with, what happened, and how you felt. Use at least 4 past simple verbs and 2 time expressions.

Attempt the task first, then check your answers.

ListeningReceptive

Listening review — read the conversation from class again and write 3 true sentences about Ben and Marta's weekend.

Your response

0 words Saved

Attempt the task first, then check your answers.

Recap · 11

2–3 min

What you've learned

  • Past simple = finished actions at a definite past time.
  • Regular verbs: add -ed. Many common verbs are irregular (go→went, have→had).
  • Questions and negatives use 'did' + base verb.
  • Order a story with then, after that, finally.
  • The -ed ending sounds like /t/, /d/, or /ɪd/.
Extra Practice

Need more practice?

Optional · your lesson progress stays the same

How to attack each paper

Practise this exam skill

Telling a story in the past

Practise this exam skill

Future plans and conditions

Practise this exam skill

All Extra Practice
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