El Preterito Y El Imperfecto
This quiz will test your ability to recognize when to use the preterit and the imperfect
Questions and Answers
- 1.
Preterito o Imperfecto?It was a sunny day.
- A.
Preterito
- B.
Imperfecto
Correct Answer
B. ImperfectoExplanation
The correct answer is "Imperfecto" because the imperfect tense is used to describe ongoing or habitual actions in the past, while the preterite tense is used for completed actions. In this case, "It was a sunny day" implies that the sunny weather was a continuous state or a habitual occurrence in the past, rather than a specific event that happened and ended. Therefore, the imperfect tense is the appropriate choice to convey this meaning.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Preterito o Imperfecto?She had blue eyes.
- A.
Preterito
- B.
Imperfecto
Correct Answer
B. ImperfectoExplanation
The correct answer is "Imperfecto" because the verb "to have" in this context refers to a permanent characteristic or state of the person, rather than a specific action or event that occurred in the past. The imperfect tense is used to describe ongoing or habitual actions in the past, making it the appropriate choice in this case.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Preterito o Imperfecto?He left in a black car.
- A.
Preterito
- B.
Imperfecto
Correct Answer
A. PreteritoExplanation
The use of the preterite tense "preterito" indicates that the action of leaving in a black car was completed in the past. It suggests that the person left at a specific point in time and emphasizes the completion of the action. The imperfect tense "imperfecto" would imply that the action was ongoing or habitual in the past, which does not fit the context of the sentence. Therefore, the preterite tense is the correct choice in this case.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Preterito o imperfecto?My grandmother had an accident.
- A.
Preterito
- B.
Imperfecto
Correct Answer
A. PreteritoExplanation
The correct answer is "Preterito" because the sentence is describing a past event that happened at a specific point in time. The preterite tense is used to talk about completed actions in the past, while the imperfect tense is used for ongoing or repeated actions in the past. Since the sentence is not indicating any ongoing or repeated action, the preterite tense is the appropriate choice.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Preterito o imperfecto?My friend used to eat a lot.
- A.
Preterito
- B.
Imperfecto
Correct Answer
B. ImperfectoExplanation
The correct answer is "Imperfecto" because the phrase "used to eat" indicates a habitual or repeated action in the past. The imperfect tense is commonly used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past, while the preterite tense is used for completed actions. In this case, the action of eating a lot was a habitual behavior of the friend, rather than a specific event that happened once.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Preterito o imperfecto?The choir was singing.
- A.
Preterito
- B.
Imperfecto
Correct Answer
B. ImperfectoExplanation
The use of the imperfect tense "Imperfecto" is appropriate in this sentence because it indicates an ongoing action in the past. The phrase "The choir was singing" suggests that the choir was engaged in a continuous activity of singing at a specific time in the past. The imperfect tense is commonly used to describe background actions or habitual actions in the past, which aligns with the context of the sentence.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Preterito o imperfecto?Mr. Martinez broke his leg.
- A.
Preterito
- B.
Imperfecto
Correct Answer
A. PreteritoExplanation
The correct answer is "Preterito" because the sentence describes a specific event that happened in the past (Mr. Martinez breaking his leg). The preterite tense is used to talk about completed actions or events that have a specific starting and ending point.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Preterito o imperfecto?They drove to town on his VW.
- A.
Preterito
- B.
Imperfecto
Correct Answer
A. PreteritoExplanation
The use of the preterite tense is appropriate in this sentence because it indicates a completed action in the past. The sentence states that "they drove to town," implying that the action of driving was completed at a specific point in time. The preterite tense is commonly used to express actions that have a clear beginning and end in the past.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Preterito o imperfecto?The baby was 12 months old.
- A.
Preterito
- B.
Imperfect
Correct Answer
B. ImperfectExplanation
The use of the imperfect tense "was" suggests that the action of the baby being 12 months old was ongoing or habitual in the past. The imperfect tense is used to describe ongoing actions, states of being, or habitual actions in the past. In this case, the baby's age is being described as a state of being, which is why the imperfect tense is used.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Preterito o imperfecto?It was 7:15 in the morning.
- A.
Preterito
- B.
Imperfecto
Correct Answer
B. ImperfectoExplanation
The use of the imperfect tense "imperfecto" in this sentence suggests that the time being referred to is a habitual or ongoing action in the past. The imperfect tense is used to describe past actions that were not completed or have no specific beginning or end. In this case, "It was 7:15 in the morning" indicates a general time frame rather than a specific event, making the imperfect tense the appropriate choice.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Él se _____________________la pierna. (romper)
Correct Answer
rompioExplanation
The correct answer is "rompio". In Spanish, the verb "romper" means "to break". The subject of the sentence is "él" which means "he". Therefore, the correct conjugation of the verb in the past tense is "rompió". This form matches with the subject and completes the sentence correctly.Rate this question:
- 12.
Los estudiantes _______________________mucho en la escuela ayer. (trabajar)
Correct Answer
trabajaronExplanation
The correct answer is "trabajaron." In Spanish, the verb "trabajar" means "to work." The sentence is in the past tense, indicated by the use of the word "ayer" (yesterday). The subject of the sentence is "los estudiantes" (the students), which is plural. In Spanish, when referring to a plural subject in the past tense, the verb ending changes to "-aron" for regular -ar verbs. Therefore, "trabajaron" is the correct conjugation of the verb "trabajar" for the subject "los estudiantes" in the past tense.Rate this question:
- 13.
Cuando ella era una niña ella _________________________con muñecas. (jugar)
Correct Answer
jugabaExplanation
Cuando ella era una niña, ella solía jugar con muñecas. La forma verbal "jugaba" concuerda en tiempo y persona con el sujeto "ella" y el verbo "jugar". Además, el uso del pretérito imperfecto indica una acción habitual o repetida en el pasado, lo cual es coherente con el contexto de la frase.Rate this question:
- 14.
Todos los veranos ellos ___________________las montañas con su familia. ( visitar)
Correct Answer
visitabanExplanation
En esta oración, se utiliza el verbo "visitar" en la tercera persona del plural del pretérito imperfecto del indicativo, "visitaban". Esto indica que en el pasado, ellos solían visitar las montañas todos los veranos con su familia.Rate this question:
- 15.
Nosotros siempre _________________en la escuela pero ya no. (comer)
Correct Answer
comiamosExplanation
The correct answer is "comíamos". In this sentence, the subject "nosotros" (we) is being referred to, and the verb "comer" (to eat) is used in the past tense. The conjugation of "comer" in the past tense for the subject "nosotros" is "comíamos". This indicates that in the past, "we" used to eat at school, but not anymore.Rate this question:
- 16.
Ayer nosotros ____________________en Casey´s. (comer)
Correct Answer
comimosExplanation
The correct answer is "comimos" because it is the first person plural preterite form of the verb "comer" which means "to eat". In this sentence, it is indicating that "we ate" at Casey's.Rate this question:
- 17.
El dragón _________________una corona de caramelos. (hacer)
Correct Answer
hizoExplanation
The correct answer is "hizo" because it is the third person singular preterite form of the verb "hacer" in Spanish. In this sentence, "El dragón" is the subject and "una corona de caramelos" is the direct object. The verb "hizo" agrees with the subject and indicates that the dragon performed the action of making the crown of candies in the past.Rate this question:
- 18.
El dragón ___________________caramelos en la corona. (pegar)
Correct Answer
pegoExplanation
The correct answer is "pego" because it is the correct conjugation of the verb "pegar" in the first person singular form. In this sentence, "El dragón pego caramelos en la corona," it means "The dragon stuck candies on the crown." The verb "pegar" means "to stick" or "to glue," and when conjugated in the first person singular form, it becomes "pego."Rate this question:
- 19.
El dragón ________________buscando un árbol de Navidad perfecto. (estar)
Correct Answer
estabaExplanation
The correct answer is "estaba" because the sentence is in the past tense and the verb "estar" needs to be conjugated accordingly. In this case, "estaba" is the past tense conjugation of "estar" for the third person singular pronoun "el dragón". This indicates that the dragon was in the process of searching for a perfect Christmas tree in the past.Rate this question:
- 20.
Él ______________________no cortar el árbol de Navidad. (decidir)
Correct Answer
decidioExplanation
The correct answer is "decidió" because it is the correct conjugation of the verb "decidir" in the third person singular form (él/ella). In this sentence, it is used to express that "he" made the decision not to cut the Christmas tree.Rate this question:
- 21.
Translate to SpanishThe dragon was always loosing his mittens.
Correct Answer
El dragon siempre perdia sus mitones.
El dragon perdia siempre sus mitones.Explanation
The answer is correct because both translations accurately convey the same meaning. In Spanish, the word order can be flexible, so both "El dragon siempre perdia sus mitones" and "El dragon perdia siempre sus mitones" are grammatically correct and mean "The dragon always lost his mittens."Rate this question:
- 22.
Traslate to SpanishThe dragon returned with garlands and bells. (regresar)
Correct Answer
El dragon regreso con guirnaldas y campanas.Explanation
The given answer accurately translates the sentence "The dragon returned with garlands and bells" into Spanish as "El dragon regreso con guirnaldas y campanas." The verb "regreso" is the correct conjugation of the verb "regresar" (to return) in the third person singular form. The sentence also includes the appropriate translation for "with" (con) and accurately conveys the idea that the dragon brought garlands and bells.Rate this question:
- 23.
Traslate to SpanishIt was a perfect tree.
Correct Answer
Era un arbol perfecto.Explanation
The given answer, "Era un arbol perfecto," is the correct translation of the English sentence "It was a perfect tree" into Spanish. The verb "era" is the past tense of the verb "ser," which means "to be." "Un arbol perfecto" translates to "a perfect tree." Therefore, the answer accurately conveys the meaning of the original sentence in Spanish.Rate this question:
- 24.
Traslate to SpanishThe tree had beautiful branches.
Correct Answer
El arbol tenia ramas hermosas.Explanation
The given answer correctly translates the English sentence "The tree had beautiful branches" into Spanish as "El arbol tenia ramas hermosas." It maintains the same meaning and structure of the original sentence, accurately conveying that the tree possessed attractive branches.Rate this question:
- 25.
Traslate to SpanishThe branshes danced with the wind every day.
Correct Answer
Las ramas danzaban con el viento todos los dias.Explanation
The given answer is correct because it accurately translates the sentence "The branches danced with the wind every day" into Spanish. It maintains the same meaning and conveys that the branches were moving or swaying in a dance-like manner due to the wind on a daily basis.Rate this question:
- 26.
Traslate to SpanishThe dragon looked at his tree from his window.
Correct Answer
El dragon miro su arbol desde su ventana.Explanation
The given answer is the correct translation of the English sentence "The dragon looked at his tree from his window" into Spanish. It accurately conveys the meaning of the original sentence, indicating that the dragon observed his tree while being inside his house and looking through the window.Rate this question:
- 27.
Traslate to SpanishWhen he went to cut a tree it was very cold.
Correct Answer
Cuando fue a cortar el arbol hacia mucho frio.Explanation
The given answer accurately translates the English sentence "When he went to cut a tree it was very cold" into Spanish. It maintains the correct verb tense and word order, and accurately conveys the meaning of the original sentence.Rate this question:
- 28.
Traslate to SpanishAfter eating all the candy the dragon had a big stomach ache.
Correct Answer
Despues de comer todos los caramelos el dragon tuvo un dolor de estomago grande.
Despues de comer todos los caramelos el dragon tuve un grande dolor de estomago.Explanation
The correct answer is "Después de comer todos los caramelos el dragón tuvo un dolor de estómago grande." The sentence correctly translates to "After eating all the candy, the dragon had a big stomach ache." The use of "después de" indicates the sequence of events, "comer todos los caramelos" translates to "eating all the candy," "el dragón" means "the dragon," "tuvo" means "had," "un dolor de estómago grande" translates to "a big stomach ache." The second option "Después de comer todos los caramelos el dragón tuve un grande dolor de estómago" is incorrect because the adjective "grande" should come before the noun "dolor" to properly describe it.Rate this question:
- 29.
Traslate to SpanishA day in December the dragon had an idea.
Correct Answer
Un dia en diciembre el dragon tuvo una idea.Explanation
The given answer is a correct translation of the given sentence from English to Spanish. It accurately captures the meaning and maintains the grammatical structure of the original sentence.Rate this question:
- 30.
Traslate to SpanishHe was not feeling sad.
Correct Answer
El no se sentia triste.Explanation
The correct answer is "El no se sentia triste" because it accurately translates the English sentence "He was not feeling sad" into Spanish. The verb "sentia" means "was feeling" in the past tense, and "triste" means "sad." The subject pronoun "El" refers to "he" in English.Rate this question:
- 31.
Find the correct verbYo poner
- A.
Puso
- B.
Puse
- C.
Pusio
Correct Answer
B. PuseExplanation
The correct verb form for "Yo poner" is "puse." This is the first-person singular form of the verb "poner" in the past tense. It is used when referring to an action that the speaker (Yo) performed in the past.Rate this question:
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- 32.
Find the correct verbtu conducir
- A.
Condujiste
- B.
Conduciste
- C.
Conduje
Correct Answer
A. CondujisteExplanation
The correct form of the verb "conducir" in the second person singular preterite tense is "condujiste." This form is used when referring to the action of driving that was performed by the person being addressed.Rate this question:
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- 33.
Find the correct verbnosotros hacer
- A.
Hacemos
- B.
Hagamos
- C.
Hicimos
Correct Answer
C. HicimosExplanation
The correct answer is "hicimos" because it is the past tense form of the verb "hacer" when referring to "nosotros" (we).Rate this question:
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- 34.
Find the correct verbél ir
- A.
Fue
- B.
Fui
- C.
Fuo
Correct Answer
A. FueExplanation
The correct verb form for "ir" in the past tense is "fue."Rate this question:
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- 35.
Find the correct verbEllos estar
- A.
Estuve
- B.
Estaron
- C.
Estuvieron
Correct Answer
C. EstuvieronExplanation
The correct verb to fill in the blank is "estuvieron." This is because "estuvieron" is the past tense conjugation of the verb "estar" (to be) in the third person plural form (ellos).Rate this question:
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- 36.
Find the correct verbUstedes ser
- A.
Era
- B.
Seran
- C.
Eran
Correct Answer
C. EranExplanation
The correct verb for "Ustedes" (which means "you all" in Spanish) is "eran." This is the past tense form of the verb "ser," which means "to be." Therefore, the correct answer is "eran."Rate this question:
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- 37.
Find the correct verbTú ir
- A.
Iba
- B.
Ibas
- C.
Iban
Correct Answer
B. IbasExplanation
The correct answer is "ibas" because the question is asking for the correct form of the verb "ir" (to go) for the subject "tú" (you). "Ibas" is the correct conjugation of the verb "ir" in the past tense for the subject "tú".Rate this question:
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- 38.
Find the correct verbMi abuelo ver
- A.
Vio
- B.
Veio
- C.
Veo
Correct Answer
A. VioExplanation
The correct answer is "vio". In Spanish, the verb "ver" means "to see". The subject "mi abuelo" is in the third person singular, so the correct conjugation of the verb is "vio".Rate this question:
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- 39.
Find the correct verbtu hermana estar
- A.
Estabas
- B.
Estan
- C.
Estaba
Correct Answer
C. EstabaExplanation
The correct answer is "estaba." This is the correct form of the verb "estar" in the past tense, singular form, for the subject "hermana" (sister).Rate this question:
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- 40.
Find the correct verbElla estaba
- A.
Comaba
- B.
Comiendo
- C.
Comia
Correct Answer
B. ComiendoExplanation
The correct answer is "comiendo". In Spanish, the verb "comer" means "to eat". The word "comiendo" is the present participle form of the verb, which translates to "eating" in English. The sentence is in the past tense, so "estaba" indicates the action was ongoing in the past. Therefore, "Ella estaba comiendo" means "She was eating".Rate this question:
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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