The Collector of Countries — Present Perfect vs Past Simple (A2)

A2 · PRESENT PERFECT vs PAST SIMPLE

The Collector of Countries

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“I’ve been to 100 countries — but my favourite trip cost €40.”

Present perfect or past simple? · ever / never · been / gone

Reading

Speaking

STAGE 1 · WARM-UP

Class travel survey

Quick class survey!

Who has visited more than three countries?

… more than five? … more than ten?

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Who is the class travel champion?

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Champion: tell us your favourite country in one sentence!

STAGE 2 · BEFORE YOU READ

100 countries — one favourite

You are going to read an interview with Marisol Vega. She has visited 100 countries — but she says her favourite journey cost almost nothing.

100

PREDICT

Which journey do you think was her favourite? Make a guess.

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countries

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Read the interview and find the answer.

STAGE 3 · READING

Read once — find her favourite trip

“I’ve been to 100 countries — my favourite cost €40”

You’ve just come back from country 100. How do you feel?

Tired! And happy. Number 100 was Mongolia. I arrived home on Tuesday, and I’ve already started planning the next trip. My husband says I have a problem!

When did all this start?

In 2015 I was 24, and I won a small prize at work. I spent all of it on a ticket to Morocco. That trip changed my life.

Have you ever been in danger?

Once or twice. A few years ago, I lost my passport and all my money in Bangkok. A family I didn’t know gave me dinner and a bed for three nights. I’ve never forgotten their kindness.

Is there a country you haven’t visited yet?

Of course — there are almost 200! I haven’t been to New Zealand yet. It’s expensive to get there, but I’m saving.

And your favourite journey ever?

Everybody expects Japan or Peru. But in 2018, my niece turned seven, and we took a slow train to the seaside, two hours from home. It cost €40 for both of us. We ate sandwiches and she asked me a hundred questions. I’ve travelled all over the world, but I’ve never enjoyed a journey more than that one.

STAGE 4 · COMPREHENSION

Choose the correct answer

1 How does Marisol feel about travelling?

a) She wants to stop soon.

b) She’s already planning more.

c) She thinks it’s a problem.

2 Her first big trip was to…

a) Mongolia.

b) Morocco.

c) Bangkok.

3 What happened in Bangkok?

a) She lost her passport & money.

b) She met her husband.

c) She got ill.

4 Why hasn’t she been to New Zealand?

a) Not interested.

b) Far and expensive.

c) Dangerous.

5 Her favourite journey was special because of…

a) the place.

b) the price.

c) the person with her.

STAGE 5 · TALK ABOUT IT

What do you think?

Discuss with a partner.

Marisol’s favourite trip was small and cheap. Do you have a small journey you remember with love?

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(add your own)

Would you like to visit 100 countries? Why (not)?

STAGE 6 · GRAMMAR — NOTICE

Which sentence says WHEN?

Underline the time expressions. Which sentence in each pair says exactly WHEN?

1a I’ve been to 100 countries.

1b In 2015, I spent the prize money on a ticket to Morocco.

2a Have you ever been in danger?

2b A few years ago , I lost my passport in Bangkok.

been / gone? “She has BEEN to Mongolia” = went & came back. “She has GONE to Mongolia” = she’s there now.

STAGE 6 · GRAMMAR — THE RULE

Complete the rules

1 We use the ______________ for experiences, when we don’t say when: I’ve been to 100 countries.

2 We use the __________ when we say exactly when: When did it start? — In 2015.

3 Conversations often BEGIN with the ______________ (a general question / news)

and CHANGE TO the __________ for the details.

STAGE 7 · THE RULES

Present perfect or past simple?

PRESENT PERFECT — experiences

PAST SIMPLE — finished time

Experiences, no time given. Often with ever / never.

With finished time: in 1989, last year, yesterday, ago, when I was a child.

She’s visited 100 countries. Have you ever been in danger?

In 2003 I lost my passport. (not I’ve lost it in 2003)

START PERFECT → SWITCH TO SIMPLE

A: Have you ever lost your passport?

B: Yes, I have.

A: When did it happen?

B: In 2003.

STAGE 8 · PRACTICE

Circle the correct form

1 I ’ve seen / saw that film three times.

5 My brother ’s been / ’s gone to the shop — he isn’t here.

2 We ’ve visited / visited Rome last summer.

6 Have you been / Did you go anywhere nice at the weekend?

3 Have you ever tried / Did you ever try Japanese food?

7 I ’ve never ridden / never rode a horse in my life.

4 She ’s started / started a new job two weeks ago.

8 They ’ve moved / moved house in 2020.

STAGE 8 · PRACTICE

Perfect or past? Complete the chat

A: ______ (you ever / be) to another continent?

B: Yes, I ______ (be) to Africa once.

A: Really? When ______ (you / go) ?

B: Three years ago. I ______ (spend) two weeks in Kenya.

A: ______ (you / see) any lions?

B: Yes! We ______ (see) a whole family on the second day. I ______ (take) 500 photos.

A: I ______ (never / see) a lion — only in the zoo.

STAGE 9 · SPEAKING

Experience detectives

STEP 1

Write three TRUE experiences, starting I’ve… (I’ve eaten insects. I’ve met a famous person. I’ve slept on a beach.)

STEP 2

Give it to the teacher. The teacher reads them out — the class guesses WHO has done it.

STEP 3–4 — now use the PAST SIMPLE for details

When did you eat insects? Where were you? What did they taste like? Why?!

Report the best story: “Sofia has met a famous footballer. She met him at the airport in 2022…”

TEACHER'S REFERENCE

Answer key

2 Prediction

Her favourite journey was a €40 slow-train trip to the seaside with her granddaughter.

4 Multiple choice

1 b 2 b 3 a 4 b 5 c

6a 1b & 2b say when — In 2015, a few years ago

6b 1 present perfect 2 past simple 3 present perfect → past simple

6c 1 → A (been) 2 → B (gone)

8a Circle

1 ’ve seen 2 visited 3 Have you ever tried 4 started 5 ’s gone 6 Did you go 7 ’ve never ridden 8 moved

8b Complete the chat

1 Have you ever been 2 ’ve been 3 did you go 4 spent 5 Did you see 6 saw 7 took 8 ’ve never seen