14. Look at the list of tenses. Which ones would you expect to use for a 'describing changes on a map' task like the ones in this section? Why?

1. past simple

2. past continuous

3. present perfect simple

4. present perfect continuous

5. past perfect

6. past perfect continuous

7. would for past habits

8. used to for past states

Suggested Answer

Past simple and past perfect would be the main two tenses. Used to is also possible and good to use as a variation on the past simple to demonstrate a good knowledge of grammar.

15. Look back through the two sample answers on exercise 7 and exercise 13 and find examples of the tenses you chose in exercise 14.

Sample answer 1

Past simple: In 1900, this area had a combination of residential and industrial features; a railway line ran through the neighbourhood; made room for a spacious park; some new shops were built; the cafe and laundry were relocated and expanded

Past perfect: by 1935 the industrial features had largely disappeared; [terraced houses] had been replaced; the areas of wasteland had gone

Used to: the terraced houses which used to dominate the 1900 map

Sample answer 2

Past simple: Recreation had more prominence; the fence which divided the hotel; the hotel underwent an expansion

Past perfect: By 2013, the swimming pool and restaurant had been relocated and its seating area had been enlarged; a water sports centre had been built; [the fence] had been removed by 2013