One Event or Many
A single point on a line, beside a pattern that repeats — and where each phrase sits.
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Look at the marks on the line. One mark is an event; many marks are a habit.
How to talk about what you used to do and how things have changed, which most Speaking questions ask for.
Preview · progress not saved — Chapter 1 is free
Tick the structures you actually use. Then count how many were past simple.
The distinction Band 5 candidates miss — and the one structure that will not work for states.
I played football last Saturday. — one event. Past simple is right.
I used to play football every weekend. — a habit that has stopped. Past simple would be thinner.
Both sentences are correct English. The difference is that the second one tells the listener the habit is over, and it does that in two words.
That is what Part 1 questions are usually asking. Did you play sport as a child? is a question about a habit.
A single point on a line, beside a pattern that repeats — and where each phrase sits.
Look at the marks on the line. One mark is an event; many marks are a habit.
Eight time patterns. Which structure describes each one?
Terms
Definitions
Three decisions, and one of them turns on whether "would often" is allowed at all.
Chain 1
You want to say: when I was a child I was very shy, and I am not now.
Candidates: used to be / would often be
The structure:
Because:
Chain 2
You want to say: when I was a child I walked home from school most days, and I do not now.
Candidates: used to walk / walked
The structure:
Because:
Chain 3
You want to say: I moved to this city five years ago, and from that moment until today I have taken the train.
Candidates: back then / ever since
The structure:
Because:
A Speaking Part 1 answer about childhood, with the time structures removed.
Examiner: Did you enjoy sport when you were a child?
Yes, a lot. I play football every Saturday morning with the same group of boys from my street. We meet at the park at nine and stay until someone's mother came to find us.
there were far fewer cars, so we played in the road as often as in the park. , I don't think any of our parents worried about it.
I be much more competitive than I am now — I remember being genuinely upset about losing.
Then I broke my ankle when I was fifteen, and I have preferred swimming, which is easier on the joints.
I only swim about twice a week, and I play football — perhaps three or four times a year, when old friends organise something.