When we tell stories, we must consider the different tenses involved, such as past simple and past continuous. This will enable our interlocutor to follow the events and understand the message we want to convey.
In this unit, you will learn to talk about amazing stories using phrases that will enhance them. The topic is about close encounters and unusual experiences.
In the following diagram, you have a general picture of what you will find in this unit.

Move the cursor over the diagram and click on each icon to see more information.

Content

Self Assessment

Reading

Speaking

Listening

Writing

Comfreak. (n. d.). UFO [ilustration]. Retrieved on 2017, Aug 15 from
https://pixabay.com/es/ufo-extranjeros-paisaje-1673929/

Objective

By the end of this unit you will:
Describe stories using conjunctions: when and while to express actions in the past.

When we describe stories or situations in the past, we often use the past continuous and the simple past tense. That is an action already in progress and a new action that happened quickly.
In this sense, it is common to use some phrases that will help us understand the meaning and how the situation took place.

Click on each concept to see more information.

It is common to use them to specify when the situation happened in the past.
• Last night…
• Last year…
• Last summer…
• Yesterday morning…
• Yesterday night…
• At 2 o’clock last night…
• At midday…
• One week ago…

These adverbs of manner tell us how something happened to make our story more interesting.
They are placed at the beginning of a sentence to add description to the whole fact.
• Amazingly,
• Eventually,
• Happily,
• Luckily,
• Mysteriously,
• Surprisingly,
• Suddenly,
• Unexpectedly,
• Unfortunately,

Mysteriously, nobody wanted to talk about it.
Eventually, the secret was revealed.

when

This conjunction expresses the idea of a short action. It is usually followed by past simple.

When I opened the door, a strange man was standing in front of me.
(When + past simple, past continuous)

while

This conjunction expresses the idea of a long action: during that time.
It is usually followed by past continuous.

While I was driving home, an alien crossed the road quickly.
(While + + past continuous, past simple)

In the previous chart, you learned about the first adverbial phrases used at the beginning of our story. Notice that they are used to talk about a particular point in the past, showing the exact time when the events happened. On the contrary, adverbs of manner indicate how things happened. They are usually formed from adjectives by adding –ly.

Regarding the conjunctions: when and while they are followed by a specific tense. Keep in mind that the first one is used for a short action, and the second one is used for an action in progress.

Reading

Activity 1

A close encounter of the 2nd kind

As seen in the video of the previous section, when we tell stories, anecdotes or situations about the past, some actions can be interrupted by others. Some phrases and conjunctions will help us visualise and imagine what activities were interrupted or if they happened simultaneously.

In the following text, you will read about a close encounter of the 2nd kind. It happens when there is physical evidence that a UFO landed or when the person sees the UFO at close range.

Read the text

Read the story and place the events in the order they happened.

Drag the elements from the right column to the appropriate space on the left. You have two attempts to answer every item. At the end of the exercise you can know your score.

Now you can listen and follow the reading. Notice the pronunciation and intonation.

To hear audio click here:

Listening

Activity 2

Close encounters
of the 3rd kind.

We have explored that we usually use past simple and past continuous to give the background of a story or to express that a fact interrupted another one.

Do you believe in the existence of extraterrestrial life?

This time you will listen to an anecdote about a close encounter of the 3rd kind. This happens when a person can see the occupants inside the UFO or when an animated creature is present.

Pixabay. (2015). PhotoVision [ilustration]. Retrieved on 2017, Jun 2015 from https://pixabay.com/en/ufo-night-photography-photography-2329367/

Click on to listen to the audio.

Listen to the audio for the second time and click on the best option.

Put a tick	Yes	No
1. My answers or ideas have a complete structure: subject + verb + complement.
2. When I use verbs in past simple (regular or irregular) the spelling is correct.
3. When I use past continuous the structure is correct (was/were + v –ing).
4. When this is the case, I use appropriately the conjunctions: when and while.
5. I use capitalization and punctuation in a proper way.

Writing

Activity 3

Amazing stories

In this section, we read about a close encounter of the second kind that a group of friends at Lake Erie experienced. They saw a UFO at close range, so it was an encounter of the second kind.
An encounter of the 1st kind happens when a person sees the UFO within 150 meters, but there is no physical evidence, nor trace, nor visible occupants.
It is your turn to write a story for a magazine of a close encounter of the 1st kind.

Write a short paragraph about a story of the 1st kind. It can be real or imaginary.
(90 – 110 words)

Check the rubrics on the use of the grammar of the unit and the requirements. This will let you identify your progress.

Look at this example, so you have an idea of what you need to do:

A wonderful experience
It was a quiet night in the park, with a clear sky when something extraordinary happened. We were admiring the full moon when another singular full, blueish moon appeared in the sky. While we were trying to record it with our mobile phones, the UFO suddenly vanished, and a little glowing hone in the gloomy atmosphere. We decided to make sense to it, shouting that it might be a ghost or a spectrum. However, it pointed at our dog. And the dog immediately responded. It followed it!! Out of the blue, the UFO appeared again, and all of a sudden the dog and the alien vanished when a shiny light stung our eyes. We checked our recording, but it didn’t show a thing. It was all black, soundless. It was the last time we saw our dog. Ironically it was named after Startreck character, “Mr Spock”

Grading criteria
Organization structure Tool 7	Weak – You wrote a few logical ideas. It lacked sufficient examples and details. 0 points	Regular – You wrote some evidence of logical ideas. The text included some appropriate information, but you lacked details. 1 points	Good – You wrote logical ideas. It was included relevant information and gave some details. 1.5 points	Excellent – You wrote clear and logical ideas. The text included all the details about the anecdote. 2 points
Grammar & spelling Tools 8 and 10	Poor – You had more than four errors in grammar and spelling. 0 points	Regular – You had 3-4 errors in grammar and spelling. 1 points	Good – You had 1-2 errors in grammar and or spelling. 1.5 points	Excellent – You had no errors in grammar or spelling. 2 points
Content Tool 5 - Unit 119	Weak – Your content was different from the topic. The writer did not use past simple, past continuous nor conjunctions: when and while. 0 points	Regular - Your content was slightly related to the topic. The writer rarely used past simple, past continuous, and conjunctions: when and while in a correct way. 1 points	Good - Your content was related to the topic. The writer sometimes used past simple, past continuous, and conjunctions: when and while in a correct way. 1.5 points	Excellent- Your content was highly related to the topic. The writer used past simple, past continuous, and conjunctions: when and while in a correct way. 2 points
Capitalization & punctuaton Tool 9	Poor – You had more than four errors in capitalization and punctuation. 0 points	Regular - You had 3-4 errors in capitalization and punctuation. 1 points	Good - You had 1-2 errors in capitalization and punctuation. 1.5 points	Excellent - You had no errors in capitalization and punctuation. 2 points
Lenght Tool 11	Weak – Your writing extension was around 60 words or less. 0 points	Regular - Your writing extension was around 70 words. 1 points	Good - Your writing extension was around 90 words. 1.5 points	Excellent - Your writing extension was between 90 - 110 words. 2 points
You can verify your text on: https://languagetool.org/

0-4 points There are some aspects you should be careful. If it is necessary, study again the grammar structure. Do not forget to answer everything that is asked and mention all the points that are required. Following the steps of the activities in order will help you understand better.
5-7 points It seems to be that you are getting better at using this structure; unfortunately your writing is not perfect yet. There are some points that you are forgetting about and checking the grammar structures, punctuation or the correct use of grammar tenses can help you make fewer mistakes the next time.
8-10 points Your writing is really good! There is always something that can be corrected, but you have learnt to use this structure in the right way. Excellent!

Activity 4

Strange but true!

We have explored the use past simple to express actions in the past and past continuous to give background information about the situation. We also use it to describe a case in the past that continued for some time.
In a narration, it is common to make use of some adverbs to express how something happened to make our story more interesting. You can check some examples in the contents section.

Unsplash. (n. d.). Notebook and pen [photo]. Retrieved on 2017, May 11 from https://pixabay.com/es/por-escrito-mano-notas-explotaci%C3%B3n-1209700/

For this section, you have to write a strange anecdote that happened to you. It could be a real or imaginary story. (110 – 130 words)

Check the rubrics on using the grammar of this unit. Check the requirements to see how your progress.

Grading criteria
Organization structure Tool 7	Weak – You wrote a few logical ideas. It lacked sufficient examples and details. 0 points	Regular – You wrote some evidence of logical ideas. The text included some appropriate information, but you lacked details. 1 points	Good – You wrote logical ideas. It was included relevant information and gave some details. 1.5 points	Excellent – You wrote clear and logical ideas. The text included all the details about the anecdote. 2 points
Grammar & spelling Tools 8 and 10	Poor – You had more than four errors in grammar and spelling. 0 points	Regular – You had 3-4 errors in grammar and spelling. 1 points	Good – You had 1-2 errors in grammar and or spelling. 1.5 points	Excellent – You had no errors in grammar or spelling. 2 points
Content Tool 5 - Unit 119	Weak – Your content was different from the topic. The writer did not use past simple, past continuous nor conjunctions: when and while. 0 points	Regular - Your content was slightly related to the topic. The writer rarely used past simple, past continuous, and conjunctions: when and while in a correct way. 1 points	Good - Your content was related to the topic. The writer sometimes used past simple, past continuous, and conjunctions: when and while in a correct way. 1.5 points	Excellent- Your content was highly related to the topic. The writer used past simple, past continuous, and conjunctions: when and while in a correct way. 2 points
Capitalization & punctuaton Tool 9	Poor – You had more than four errors in capitalization and punctuation. 0 points	Regular - You had 3-4 errors in capitalization and punctuation. 1 points	Good - You had 1-2 errors in capitalization and punctuation. 1.5 points	Excellent - You had no errors in capitalization and punctuation. 2 points
Lenght Tool 11	Weak – Your writing extension was around 60 words or less. 0 points	Regular - Your writing extension was around 70 words. 1 points	Good - Your writing extension was around 90 words. 1.5 points	Excellent - Your writing extension was between 110 - 130 words. 2 points
You can verify your text on: https://languagetool.org/

0-4 points There are some aspects you should be careful. If it is necessary, study again the grammar structure. Do not forget to answer everything that is asked and mention all the points that are required. Following the steps of the activities in order will help you understand better.
5-7 points It seems to be that you are getting better at using this structure; unfortunately your writing is not perfect yet. There are some points that you are forgetting about and checking the grammar structures, punctuation or the correct use of grammar tenses can help you make fewer mistakes the next time.
8-10 points Your writing is really good! There is always something that can be corrected, but you have learnt to use this structure in the right way. Excellent!

Criterion	Poor	Regular	Good	Excellent
Organization & structure	Few logical ideas. It lacks sufficient examples and details. 0 points	Some evidence of logical ideas. It is included some appropriate information but, he lacks of details. 1 point	Logical ideas. It is included relevant information and gives some details. 1.5 points	Clear and logical ideas. It is included all details about the anecdote. 2 points
Grammar & spelling	More than 4 errors in grammar and/or spelling. 0 points	3-4 errors in grammar and/or spelling. 1 point	1-2 errors in grammar and or spelling. 1.5 points	No errors in grammar or spelling. 2 points
Content	Content is different from the topic. The writer does not use past simple, past continuous nor conjunctions: when and while. 0 points	Content is slightly related to the topic. The writer uses rarely past simple, past continuous, and conjunctions: when and while in a correct way. 1 point	Content is related to the topic. The writer uses sometimes past simple, past continuous, and conjunctions: when and while in a correct way. 1.5 points	The content is highly related to the topic. The writer uses past simple, past continuous, and conjunctions: when and while in a correct way. 2 points
Capitalization & punctuation	More than 4 errors in capitalization and punctuation.. 0 points	3-4 errors in capitalization and punctuation. 1 point	1-2 errors in capitalization and punctuation. 1.5 points	No errors in capitalization and punctuation. 2 points
Length	Writing extension is around 40 words or less.. 0 points	Writing extension is around 60 words. 1 point	Writing extension is around 80 words. 1.5 points	Writing extension is between 90 - 110 words. 2 points

Criterion	Poor	Regular	Good	Excellent
Organization & structure	Few logical ideas. It lacks sufficient examples and details. 0 points	Some evidence of logical ideas. It is included some appropriate information but, he lacks of details. 1 point	Logical ideas. It is included relevant information and gives some details. 1.5 points	Clear and logical ideas. It is included all details about the anecdote. 2 points
Grammar & spelling	More than 4 errors in grammar and/or spelling. 0 points	3-4 errors in grammar and/or spelling. 1 point	1-2 errors in grammar and or spelling. 1.5 points	No errors in grammar or spelling. 2 points
Content	Content is different from the topic. The writer does not use past simple, past continuous nor conjunctions: when and while. 0 points	Content is slightly related to the topic. The writer uses rarely past simple, past continuous, and conjunctions: when and while in a correct way. 1 point	Content is related to the topic. The writer uses sometimes past simple, past continuous, and conjunctions: when and while in a correct way. 1.5 points	The content is highly related to the topic. The writer uses past simple, past continuous, and conjunctions: when and while in a correct way. 2 points
Capitalization & punctuation	More than 4 errors in capitalization and punctuation. 0 points	3-4 errors in capitalization and punctuation. 1 point	1-2 errors in capitalization and punctuation. 1.5 points	No errors in capitalization and punctuation. 2 points
Length	Writing extension is around 60 words or less.. 0 points	Writing extension is around 70 words. 1 point	Writing extension is around 90 words. 1.5 points	Writing extension is between 110 - 130 words. 2 points

Speaking

Activity 5

September 9/11

In this unit, we had explored that we can use while to express the duration of action. We can also use when if an action interrupted another one.
We have also learnt about the use of adverbial phrases such as last year, two years ago, at 3 o’clock, among others. They are used to describe a specific event in the past.

There are historical facts that are relevant to the world, for example, the attack on the Twin Towers in September 2001.
Look at the following pictures:

Imagine that you are a journalist who was at that moment. Now a TV program asks you to give your story about what was happening at that moment.

Follow these questions to develop your speech:

1. When did this happen?
2. What were you doing when it occurred?
3. Where were you?
4. Who was with you at that moment?
5. What suddenly happened?
6. What were people doing after the attacks took place?
7. What happened next?
8. How did you feel?
9. What kind of day was it?
10. Why was it a particular day for you?

Remember to check the rubrics before recording the audio.

Click on the next link so you can record yourself.

RECORD

It is essential that your audio file is no shorter than 40 seconds and no longer than 1’30”.

Listen to the example to have an idea of what you need to record. After that, verify the use of grammar, pronunciation and fluency and intonation.

Example

Grading criteria
Clarity Tool 3	Weak – Your volume was almost inaudible. 0 points.	Fair - You spoke in a soft voice, but not transparent. 1 points.	Good - You spoke in a soft voice, but could be understood. 1.5 points.	Excellent - Your volume was well audible, and the message was clear. 2 points.
Pronunciation Tool 3	Poor – Your control of the sound system so weak that comprehension was difficult. 0 points.	Fair – You had frequent inaccuracy in pronunciation and intonation. Apparent interference of mother tongue. 1 points.	Good - You had some inaccuracy in pronunciation or intonation. Some problems in consonants or vowels. 1.5 points.	Excellent - You had pronunciation and intonation generally accurate. It sounded similar to a native speaker. 2 points.
Fluency Tool 3	Poor - You did not speak fluidly, short and long breaks. The speech was challenging to follow. 0 points.	Fair - You spoke somewhat fluidly, frequently short, and a few long breaks. The speech was not that difficult to follow. 1 points.	Good - You spoke mostly fluidly, semi-frequent short, or a few long breaks. The overall speech was not difficult to follow. 1.5 points.	Excellent - You spoke fluidly with no hesitation. The overall speech was easy to follow. 2 points.
Grammar Tool 1	Poor - You had serious grammar mistakes related to past simple and past continuous. When and while were not used correctly. 0 points.	Fair - You had more than four grammar mistakes in past simple, past continuous, and in the use of when and while. 1 points.	Good - You had 1 - 3 grammar mistakes regarding past simple, past continuous, or when and while. 1.5 points.	Excellent - You had no mistakes and correct conjugation of verbs in the past simple and past continuous. When and while were used correctly. 2 points.
Content Tool 4	Poor - Your content didn’t have any relationship with the task. 0 points.	Fair - Your content was reasonably related to the task. 1 points.	Good - Your content was related to the task. 1.5 points.	Excellent – Your content was related to the task. 2 points.

0-4 points There are some aspects you should be careful. If it is necessary, study again the grammar structure. Do not forget to answer everything that is asked and mention all the points that are required. Following the steps of the activities in order will help you understand better.
5-7 points It seems to be that you are getting better at using this structure; unfortunately your writing is not perfect yet. There are some points that you are forgetting about and checking the grammar structures, punctuation or the correct use of grammar tenses can help you make fewer mistakes the next time.
8-10 points Your speaking is really good! There is always something that can be corrected, but you have learnt to use this structure in the right way. Excellent!

Self-assessment

A strong earthquake

We have studied in the contents that when an action is interrupted by another, we use past simple. Additionally, when an action was interrupted, we use past continuous.
In the following sentences, you need to imagine the situations to understand and decide in what cases you have to use past simple or past continuous.
In some cases, the conjunction will give you a clue.

Conred Guatemala. (2014). A strong earthquake [photo]. Retrieved on 2017, May 11 from https://www.flickr.com/photos/conred/14603582561/

References

Basic References

• Murphy, R. (1998). Grammar in use. Reference and practice for intermediate students of English. United States of America: Cambridge University Press.
• Murphy, R. (2008). Essential Grammar in Use. United States of America: Cambridge University Press.
• British Council. (n. d.). Past Continuous and Past Simple. Retrieved on 2017, May 16 from https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/es/quick-grammar/past-continuous-and-past-simple
• The times of India. (2003, March 22). What're close encounters of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth kind?. Retrieved on 2017, May 16 from http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Whatre-close-encounters-of-the-first-second-third-fourth-and-fifth-kind/articleshow/41097626.cms
• Englishpage.com. (n. d.). Past Continuous. Retrieved on 2017, May 16 from http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/pastcontinuous.html

Complementary

• English Grammar Online. (n. d.). Simple Past – Past Progressive. Retrieved on 2017, May 16 from https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/simpas-paspro

Past Continuous
when and while

Presentation

Objective

Past Simple vs. Past Continuous
when and while

Reading

A close encounter of the 2nd kind

Listening

Close encounters
of the 3rd kind.

Writing

Amazing stories

Strange but true!

Speaking

September 9/11

Self-assessment

A strong earthquake

References

Basic References

Complementary

Ficha de créditos
Coordinación general	Dr.Jorge León Martínez
Coordinación de desarrollo	Edith Tapia Rangel
Coordinación académica	Ana Lilia Villegas Pacheco
Elaboración del contenido	Leticia Márquez Zárate
Administración del proyecto	Maricarmen Hernández Cervantes
Coordinación de asesoría pedagógica	Elisa Campero Malo Susana Claudio Vargas
Asesoría pedagógica	Cynthia Danahí Nolasco Páez
Coordinación de diseño gráfico e integración	Juan de Dios Fuentes Reyes Fabiola Moncada Cortés
Diseño gráfico e integración	Norma Guadalupe Maldonado Santos

Past Continuous when and while

Presentation

Objective

Past Simple vs. Past Continuous when and while

Reading

A close encounter of the 2nd kind

Listening

Close encounters of the 3rd kind.

Writing

Amazing stories

Strange but true!

Speaking

September 9/11

Self-assessment

A strong earthquake

References

Basic References

Complementary

Past Continuous
when and while

Past Simple vs. Past Continuous
when and while

Close encounters
of the 3rd kind.