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What was it like? – Unit 3

Practise key vocabulary, past tenses, and descriptive writing about the past.

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Ex A – Vocabulary Gap-fill using key words from Unit 3
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Ex B – Grammar Past perfect vs. simple past transformations
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Ex C – Writing Describe a historical place or memory
Enter your details to begin
Exercise A

Vocabulary – The Past in Words

Choose the correct word to complete each sentence. Use the word bank to help you.

Word Bank ancient ruins century legend mysterious period historian evidence settlement restored
Complete the sentences

1. The castle walls were very old — archaeologists said they were from an civilisation.

2. After the fire, the old church was carefully using original materials.

3. Scientists found of a Viking settlement near the coast.

4. Nobody knows exactly what happened — the disappearance remains completely .

5. The spent years studying records from the medieval .

6. The old city walls had fallen apart over the , leaving only behind.

Exercise B

Grammar – Past Perfect vs. Simple Past

Rewrite each sentence using the past perfect for the earlier action. Keep both actions in your new sentence.

Quick reminder 💡

Use the past perfect (had + past participle) for the action that happened first.

Use the simple past for the action that happened second.

Example: We arrived. The film started. → When we arrived, the film had already started.

Rewrite the sentences
1
The explorers left. Then the storm started.
Hint: use "By the time..." + past perfect for the first action.
2
The museum closed. We didn't see the exhibition.
Hint: the museum closing happened first — use past perfect.
3
The archaeologists found ancient coins. They wrote a report about them.
Hint: "After the archaeologists had found..." + simple past.
4
She read about the castle for years. Finally, she visited it.
Hint: "...although she had already read about it for years."
5
The village flooded. The people rebuilt it.
Hint: "...after it had flooded."
Exercise C

Writing – A Place from the Past

Write a short description (80–120 words) of a historical place you have visited or read about. Use the past tenses and vocabulary from this unit.

Writing checklist ✅

Try to include:

✔ At least one sentence with the past perfect (e.g. "By the time we arrived, the guide had already started the tour.")

✔ At least two vocabulary words from Exercise A (e.g. ruins, ancient, mysterious)

✔ A sentence describing how the place made you feel

Your writing
Tip: Start with where the place is and when it was built. Then describe what it looks like and what happened there. End with how it made you feel.
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All exercises complete!

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