Present Perfect vs Past Simple

The present perfect is used when the time period has NOT finished: I have seen three movies this week. (This week has not finished yet.)	The past simple is used when the time period HAS finished: I saw three movies last week. (Last week has finished.)
The present perfect is often used when giving recent news: Martin has crashed his car again. (This is new information.)	The past simple is used when giving older information: Martin crashed his car last year. (This is old information.)
The present perfect is used when the time is not specific: I have seen that movie already. (We don't know when.)	The past simple is used when the time is clear: I saw that movie on Thursday. (We know exactly when.)
The present perfect is used with for and since, when the actions have not finished yet: I have lived in Victoria for five years. (I still live in Victoria.)	The past simple is used with for and since, when the actions have already finished: I lived in Victoria for five years. (I don't live in Victoria now.)

5. Give your partner a number and a letter. Your partner makes a sentence in the present perfect or the past simple: e.g.: She didn't phone me last week.

1.She/not phone me a. this year

2.It/very wet b. this month

3.I/not see him с. last October

4.We / go to London d. yesterday

5.They/ not eat out e. this week

6.I / write two letters f. last week

6. Read these messages. Decide if they are from an answer phone, an e-mail, a letter, or a postcard. How do you know?

1. Sorry I haven't been in touch this week, but I've had a lot of problems to sort out at work. Anyway, now you've got e-mail I thought I'd drop you a line. Have you _______ Mike this week?

2. Dear Pete, How are you? I haven't seen you for months! I hope you're settling into your new house. Have you a new cooker?

3. My computer crashed last week, so I couldn't answer your message. Work's been terrible this week - my boss has ________ me to work this weekend.

4. Having a fantastic time. The weather's not too bad. This week we've __________ three sunny days, but yesterday wasn't very nice, so we went to a museum. Wish you were here!

5. Hello, Vic? It's Silvana here. I'm off to Italy next week. Have you ever_________to Rome? Do you know any good hotels? Can you call me back? Thanks!

6. As you can see I'm on a skiing holiday! I've never seen such beautiful mountains, but I'm afraid I'll break my leg or something! I've ______________ hundreds of photos.

7. Hi Jan, it's me. I'm ringing to ask if you've _____to Paul. Do you know where he is? Call me when you can!

8. I can't remember what number your house is, so I hope this arrives. How have you been? I've had an exciting time since Christmas - three trips abroad. In January I went to Brazil, and this month I've __________ to Paris three times.

7. Complete the gaps in the messages. Compare your ideas with a partner. What verbs did you use?

8. Imagine you meet a friend that you haven't seen for six months. Tell him / her what you've done, and ask questions about what he / she's done. Think about these things.

Start your conversation like this.

A. Hello! I haven't seen you for ages! How are you?

В. I'm fine. It's been a busy few months.

A. Why? What's happened?

В. Well, …

Part 3