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Reading Worksheet

Maria's English Journey

A2 Present Perfect: Unfinished Time Language Learning 25 minutes
Before You Read

Discuss these questions with a partner before you read.

  • Do you study or have you studied a foreign language? Which one?
  • How long have you been learning English?
  • What do you find most difficult about learning a new language?
  • Do you think living in a country is the best way to learn its language? Why / why not?
Key Vocabulary
Word Definition Example
improve (v.) to get better Maria's English has improved a lot since she arrived.
pronunciation (n.) the way you say words She is still working on her English pronunciation.
confident (adj.) feeling sure of your abilities She has become much more confident in English.
fluent (adj.) able to speak a language easily and well She hopes to become fluent within two years.
progress (n.) improvement over time Her teacher says she has made excellent progress.
determination (n.) the quality of continuing despite difficulties Maria's determination has helped her improve quickly.
Reading Text
Blog Post ~210 words

Maria's English Journey

Hi! My name is Maria Ribeiro. I'm 24 years old and I'm from Brazil. I live in Bristol, in the south-west of England. I write this blog about my experience of learning English. I hope my story helps other learners!

I have studied English for three years. When I started, I could only say simple things like 'hello' and 'thank you'. Now I can have real conversations. I have made so much progress — and I'm very proud of that.

I moved to Bristol in January last year. Since I arrived, my English has improved a lot. I have worked at a café near the city centre since I arrived, and I talk to customers every single day. That has helped me more than any textbook!

I have already passed my B1 exam — I took it six months ago and I was so happy. But I haven't taken my B2 exam yet. I'm planning to take it next spring. I have become much more confident, but I am still working on my pronunciation. Some English sounds are very difficult for me!

My teacher says I have made excellent progress. She told me last week that my grammar has really improved. That felt wonderful to hear.

My advice to other learners? Use the language every day. I have spoken English at work, with friends, and even in my dreams! Maria's determination has helped me — and it can help you too. Don't give up. You can do it!

Notice the Grammar

Look back at the blog post. Find five sentences that use 'have' or 'has' with a past participle (e.g. 'has improved', 'have studied'). Write them below. Then discuss with a partner: do these situations start in the past or in the present? Are they still true now?

1 Reading for Gist

Answer these questions in a few words.

  1. Where is Maria from?
  2. Where does Maria live now?
  3. Why does Maria write the blog?
2 Reading for Detail

Answer these questions. Write short answers.

  1. How long has Maria been studying English?
  2. Where does Maria work?
  3. Which exam has Maria already passed?
  4. What is Maria still working on?  a) Her reading skills. b) Her pronunciation. c) Her grammar. 
  5. According to Maria, what is the best way to learn a language?
3 True, False, or Not Given

Write T (True), F (False), or NG (Not Given). Use only information from the article.

  1. Maria has lived in Bristol for more than one year.
  2. Maria has taken her B2 exam but did not pass.
  3. Maria attends evening classes at a language school in Bristol.
  4. Maria's teacher has told her that her grammar has improved.
  5. Maria found it easy to learn English from the beginning.
4 Vocabulary in Context

Answer these questions about words and phrases in the blog post.

  1. In paragraph 2, what does 'progress' mean?  a) A difficult problem. b) Improvement over time. c) A written exam. 
  2. In paragraph 4, Maria says she has become 'more confident'. What does this mean about her feelings when she speaks English?
  3. Find a word in paragraph 4 that means 'the way you say words aloud'. Write it here. 
  4. What does 'determination' mean? Write your own definition using the context of the blog.
5 Grammar in Context

Complete these activities. Go back to the blog post.

  1. Find two sentences in the article that use 'for' with the present perfect. Write them.
    a)  b) 
  2. Find two sentences in the article that use 'since' with the present perfect. Write them.
    a)  b) 
  3. What is the difference between 'for' and 'since' with the present perfect?  a) 'For' is used with a period of time; 'since' is used with a point in time. b) 'For' is used with a point in time; 'since' is used with a period of time. c) 'For' and 'since' mean the same thing. 
  4. Rewrite using the present perfect with 'for' or 'since': (a) 'She started learning English three years ago. She is still learning.' (b) 'She arrived in Bristol eighteen months ago. She is still there.'
  5. Write two sentences about yourself using the present perfect with 'for' or 'since'.
Personal Response — Discuss with a partner

Discuss these questions with a partner. Then share one idea with the class.

  1. Maria says the best way to learn a language is to use it every day. Do you agree? What other ways help you learn English?
  2. Maria has worked in a café to practise her English. Would you like to live and work in an English-speaking country? Why / why not?
  3. What have you achieved in your English learning so far? What haven't you done yet that you would like to do?

Answer Key

Maria's English Journey — A2 — Present Perfect: Unfinished Time

Exercise 1 — Reading for Gist

  1. Brazil.
  2. Bristol, (south-west) England.
  3. To share her experience of learning English / to help other learners.

Exercise 2 — Reading for Detail

  1. For three years.
  2. At a café near the city centre.
  3. Her B1 exam.
  4. b)
  5. To use the language every day.

Exercise 3 — True, False, or Not Given

  1. T — Para. 3: She moved to Bristol in January last year — over a year ago.
  2. F — Para. 4: She hasn't taken the B2 exam yet.
  3. NG — A teacher is mentioned, but no language school is described.
  4. T — Para. 5: 'She told me last week that my grammar has really improved.'
  5. F — Para. 2: At first she could only say simple things; learning has been a journey requiring determination.

Exercise 4 — Vocabulary in Context

  1. b)
  2. She feels more sure of herself / less nervous when she speaks English.
  3. pronunciation
  4. The quality of continuing to try hard even when something is difficult.

Exercise 5 — Grammar in Context

  1. e.g. 'I have studied English for three years.' / 'I have worked at a café for eighteen months.' — any two 'for' + present perfect sentences.
  2. e.g. 'Since I arrived, my English has improved a lot.' / 'I have worked at a café since I arrived.' — any two 'since' + present perfect sentences.
  3. a)
  4. (a) She has studied / been learning English for three years. (b) She has lived in Bristol for eighteen months / since January last year.
  5. Answers will vary. Answers will vary. Check: have/has + past participle + for [period of time] / since [point in time]. The situation must

Notice the Grammar — suggested answers

Accept any five correct examples from the article that use the target grammar. Students should be able to explain why the grammar is used in each case.

Personal Response

Answers will vary. This section is for spoken discussion or short written response. There are no single correct answers.