~ Basic English ~ Basic Vocabulary and Role Plays ~ 118 ~

The Language Works ~ Fun English ~ Lesson 18

Section One ~ Basic-Talk 118 ~ Talking About the Past ~ Role Play Practice ~

A) Where did you grow up?

B) I grew up ___________________________________________ .

A) What did you used to do before or after school when you were a teenager?

B) Well, I used to __________________________________________ .

A) In your culture, what was important 100 years ago?

B) Difficult to say, but I think they used to ____________________________ .

A) Where are/were your grandparents from?

B) They are/were from _____________________ .

A) What did you used to do with your grandma or grandpa?

B) Well, ____________________________________________________ .

(We used to play cards/I used to bake with my grandma/I went fishing with my grandpa.)

A) What did you used to do with your parents?

B) Umm, ____________________________________________________ .

(We used to go camping/I used to play piano with my mom/We used to play ping pong.)

A) Right now, as we speak, what’s the first memory that pops up from your youth?

B) Well, I used to _____________________________________________ .

Notes: Your mother's parents = grandparents on my mom's side

Your father's parents = grandparents on my dad's side

Section Two ~ Form-Talk 118 ~ Used to + Present Verb ~ Dialogue Practice ~

“Used to” expresses our routine actions that happened in the past

but are no longer the case in our present situation.

Example questions:

Q1: Where did you used to play when you were young?

There was a field (100 meters square) where we played all sports. Behind my house.

Q2: What did you used to eat for breakfast? Or is it the same?

I used to eat bacon, eggs, and toast. Now I just drink yogurt. Sometimes fruit.

Q3: Who did you used to meet before school? Tell.

I used to meet a group of friends before elementary school. We played four square.

Q4: What celebrity did you used to admire? Why?

I used to admire Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall… and I still do. Casablanca.

Q5: What snack did you used to buy as a child? Still today?

I used to buy baseball cards. There was a big stick of bubble gum in each pack. Now, no.

Q6: Where did you used to go on a date? Tell a story.

In high school, I used to take my date to the lake near our town. We often took a swim.

Q7: What did you used to enjoy on Friday night? Still today?

I used to enjoy playing pool at my favorite bar. These days I like to watch movies.

Q8: Who did you used to fight with when you were young? Why?

I used to fight with my sister. I guess we were competing for our parent's attention.

Q9: What sports team did you used to cheer for? Still today?

I used to cheer for the Minnesota Vikings. American football. Now, only the World Cup.

Q10: Who did you used to hang out with in university? What did you do?

I used to hang out with musicians. We played music and drank beer. Mostly guitars.

Remember: “Used to” is related to “no longer” as in:

I no longer smoke, but I used to in university.

Make some of your own questions using this form…

~ Make a Lesson ~ As You Like ~ Suggestions ~

Pre-Lesson Journal-Talk: Each student takes a turn at the beginning of class

1) In the first section, fill in the blanks, then practice your role plays on your own.

2) Then, as a class, in groups, or in pairs, perform the role plays you have created.

3) After that, perform your role play in class with a partner/several partners.

4) Finally, challenge yourself by performing the role play with no written cues.

5) In the second section, briefly discuss the form as a class. Avoid over-analysis.

6) Select two questions from the list. Practice with a partner, then in front of the class.

7) You may wish to discuss the form (section two) before the role play (section one).