Module 9—Integration of Verb Tenses and Verb Forms
Objective:
Practice with present and past tense verbs and modal auxiliary verbs
Directions:
Use appropriate verbs in the past and present to complete the following
assignments, exercises 1--4.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Exercise 1
You might recognize the pictures below as iconic American images. Choose one image that you would
like to know more about. Use Google (or another search engine) to do some research. Find 10 facts
about the image and write a short paragraph description with the information you discover. Some
factors to consider include:
Symbolic meaning of the image ( Hint: what does the person, animal, or object stand for in America?)
History of the person, animal, or object in the picture
Location of the landmark (or) Place(s) where the image is likely to appear
Number of visitors each year to the landmark
Uncle Sam
American Bald Eagle
Statue of Liberty
Golden Gate Bridge
[scroll down to continue]
Exercise 2
Read the first draft of the following short narrative paragraph about an important object that the writer
was not able to bring when he moved to the U.S. Edit verb tense and verb form errors. Cross out each
mistake and write the correction above the error. There are 10 errors altogether.
Last year, when I was in Monterrey, Mexico, I decided to come back to the United States. It was
very hard for me. I tried to pack all my things, such as DVD’s, clothes, pictures, and many other things.
However, one thing that I could not pack was my bicycle. I built my bicycle part by part. When I had
finished building that machine, I started enjoying every single day. I could travel all over the city. I could
ride with my friends. I have had many good times with my bicycle. I wish I could have taken my bike with
me, but now my sister is using it.
(about 115 words)
Exercise 3
Read the narrative paragraph again and check your corrections in ex. 2. Then, develop the second draft
of the same paragraph, below. Add adjectives, adverbs, and prepositional phrases. Fill in the blank
spaces with more supporting details. The first one has been done as an example.
Note: This is just an example. Your paragraph will, of course, be different.
When I was in Monterrey, Mexico, I decided to come back to the United States. I was trying to
pack all my favorite things, such as DVD’s, clothes, pictures, and iphone. However, one much
valued_thing that I could not pack was my _beautiful_bicycle. I built my racing_bicycle
part by part with_my own hands_. When I finished building that _excellent_machine, I started enjoying
every single day. I could _quickly_travel all over the _downtown part of the_ city without paying for gas.
I could ride with my _school_friends. I had many good, _exciting and enjoyable times with my bicycle.
For example, my friends and I often rode to campsites with extensive bike trails and stayed for weekend
relaxation and exercise..
I wish I could have taken my bike with me, but now my _younger sister is using it.
Exercise 4
Copy and paste the link below into your web browser. It will give you access to a verb tense tutorial and
28 verb tense exercises. Finally, there is a practice test and a final test for you to use as an exam. The
computer will assist you with buttons “check” and “hint.” Use them as needed while you are working
through each exercise.
http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/verbtenseintro.html