English for IELTS (Intermediate)

Grammar- Present perfect tense

activity>

Module Sub-skills, strategy or task type Outcomes Time

Writing Task 1 Task type: By completing this 90
Speaking Understanding the use of present perfect assignment, students will: minutes
and simple past a. Be able to better understand the
use of present perfect
Task 2 task type: b. Be able to use present perfect
Using present perfect and simple past in and simple past in writing task 1
speaking and 2
c. Be able to use present perfect
and simple past in speaking,
mainly Part 2

Reflection/Self-study Digital Task

There are 2 tasks in this self-study assignment. It will take you 90 minutes to complete this
assignment. Do one task at a time. Read the instructions for each task carefully before
beginning the task. Good luck!

Task 1

Instructions:

Read the conversation between Sophie and Amy.

Sophie goes to meet Amy’s mother to ask her a favour.

Sophie: So is your mum home?

Amy: No she’s not. She’s…. Oliver where’s mum? I’ve forgotten.
Oliver: In Dubai. She’s been working about the architecture there.
Amy: Ahh… Yeah. She’s been travelling so much recently. I never remember where she is.
Why? What were you going to ask her?
Sophie: Oh! nothing much. My Chinese teacher has given me some homework to interview
some interesting person and translate it into Chinese for Monday .And your mum has been
writing a blog for years now, hasn’t she? She’s already visited lots of places and hasn’t she
won some awards.
Amy: She has only won one. But yes she won a big award earlier this year. Hey Oliver.
Have you finished baking the cake?
Oliver: Yes.
Sophie: Wow! That was quick. You’ve finished baking the cake already. Sophie, Oliver’s
just made some cake. Do you want some? Mum would probably call soon. If she doesn’t you
can interview Oliver.

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The United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.
 English for IELTS (Intermediate)
Grammar- Present perfect tense
activity>
Sophie: Oliver? Your brother Oliver?
Amy: Yeah, Why not? He is going to be a master chef you know. He has been learning to
make amazing food and he’s been practising his baking too. And he has travelled loads.
Sophie: Okay, you’ve convinced me.
Amy calls her mum. They are on a video call.
Amy: Hi Mum (on video call). How’s Dubai?
Mum: Its good and an interesting place particularly considering the city has only been here a
couple of decades. It was a port for a long time before. But the modern city of Dubai is new.
Sophie: What have you seen so far?
Mum: Well, I’ve been in the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building. It’s incredible. And I’ve eaten at
the Burj Al Arab too! I haven’t been to the palm tree island yet. That’s tomorrow.
Sophie: Have you bought any souvenirs?
Mum: No! I haven’t had time yet. But I’ll bring you something.

Use of present perfect tense

The following sentences have been taken from the conversation above. Read them
carefully and then match the sentences on the right to their meanings on the left.

My Chinese teacher has given me some We also use the present perfect for actions
homework. (= I have the homework to do or states that are unfinished. We usually use
now.) the present perfect continuous for talking
I’ve forgotten. (= I can’t remember now.) about the length of time something goes on
She’s broken her leg. (= Her leg is still for, with phrases like for years, for a long
broken now.) time, etc.

She’s been travelling a lot recently. We also use it for life experiences which
happened at any time in the past. The
person’s life, which continues in the present,
is the link to the present.

We often use present perfect for talking

She’s won an award. about something which happened in the past
which is important now.

Oliver’s just made a cake. We use the present perfect tense when
we’re more interested in the action than the
result.

Your mum’s been writing her blog for years We also use present perfect with just for

© The British Council, New Delhi 2017

The United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.
 English for IELTS (Intermediate)
Grammar- Present perfect tense
activity>
now, hasn’t she? talking about a recent action.

You’ve finished baking the cake already present perfect is used with already ,still and
yet.
Yet is mainly used in questions and
negatives to talk about something which
hasn’t happened, but which you thought
would happen in the past and you expect to
happen in the future.

I haven’t had time yet. We use already to talk about something

which has been done, and usually this is
surprising to the speaker.

Now click on the link given below and check your answers.
http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/grammar-vocabulary/grammar-videos/present-
perfect-simple-and-continuous

✎EX-1 Click on the above link again and complete the following tasks.
Check your grammar: grouping
Check your grammar: gap fill
Check your grammar: multiple choice.

Present perfect Vs past simple

✎Click on the link below to watch a video on present perfect vs. Past Simple.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppFv1hlMHjI

Practice exercise- Past Simple or Present perfect simple?

EX-1 (Academic) - Click on the link - http://www.ielts-exam.net/grammar/804/.

Look at the chart and fill in the gaps with the past simple or present perfect simple of the
verbs in brackets to make true sentences.

Ex-2 (Academic and General) Click on the links below. Read the sample essay and
underline sentences in the present perfect tense.

http://www.ielts-mentor.com/writing-sample/writing-task-2/186-ielts-writing-task-2-sample-2-
nowadays-food-has-become-easier-to-prepare - only model answer 1

http://www.ieltsbuddy.com/ielts-essay.html

For further reading on present perfect and past simple:

http://www.ielts-exam.net/grammar/803/

http://www.ielts-exam.net/grammar/735/

Task 2

© The British Council, New Delhi 2017

The United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.
 English for IELTS (Intermediate)
Grammar- Present perfect tense
activity>
Speaking – Present perfect vs. past simple.

During the IELTS Speaking exam you’ll certainly have to use present perfect and past
simple. In which part of the speaking exam do you think you will have to use and when? (e.g.
life experiences)

Read the hints given below and answers the questions using present perfect and past
simple.

1. What books do you enjoy reading?

love reading books; read different genres ; science fiction and fantasy ; favourite
author Charlie Jane Anders (science fiction); read all his books ; best of them all –All
Birds in the sky.

2. Where would you like to go for a holiday?

travelled to a lot of countries ; enjoyed myself ; not Thailand ; love to visit ; because
of its beaches and temples ; temples - sandstone ;

3. How long have you been in the London?

6 months; last October; for higher education ; my dream for years ; finish schooling
in……. India ;

✎ Brainstorm three – four questions that could be answered using present perfect and past
simple tense .Post them on edmodo and answer your classmates’ questions.

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Click on the link to find out possible situations/questions where you could use the
above tenses. Complete the tasks given under ‘Over to you’

http://www.ieltsspeaking.co.uk/present-perfect-versus-past-simple/

© The British Council, New Delhi 2017

The United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.