A personal memory
Develop then and now through a focused writing itinerary.
Writing task
Your Italian pen friend asks what your school days were like. Write an informal 100–120 word reply. Describe the place where you lived, your usual route to school, one activity you often did after class, and one surprising event on a specific day. End with one sentence that compares then with now and one question for your friend.
- Da bambino giocavo sempre fuori.· As a child I always played outside.
- Era estate e faceva caldo.· It was summer and it was hot.
- parlavo, prendevo, dormivo· I used to speak, take, sleep
- Quando ero piccolo, vivevo in campagna.· When I was little, I lived in the countryside.
Revision checklist
Underline at least three imperfetto forms for background or habit and one passato prossimo form for the single event. Check that the reader can tell what happened often and what happened once. Use a clear time phrase such as ogni giorno or un giorno, and keep the greeting and closing informal.
- Mentre guardavo la TV, ha telefonato mia nonna.· While I was watching TV, my grandmother called.
- Ogni estate andavamo al mare.· Every summer we used to go to the seaside.
- Di solito tornavo a casa alle cinque, ma un giorno ho perso l’autobus.· I usually returned home at five, but one day I missed the bus.
- Quando ero piccolo/a…· When I was little…