Madrigals Magic Key to Spanish (145 page)

ow let’s see how well you can distinguish the imperfect and the preterite tenses. Translate the following sentences into Spanish. Write the translations in the blanks below the sentences. You should be able to complete this test in ten minutes.

1. I wrote a letter.
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2. He had a car.
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3. She used to visit us often.
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4. She used to do the work very well.
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5. We bought a house.
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6. The house had a terrace.
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7. He used to take a taxi every morning.
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8. He was very charming.
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9. She sold the house.
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10. I was going to do it.
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11. We were going to sell the house.
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12. He said that it was terrible.
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13. He had a dog.
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14. He wanted to play tennis.
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15. We were going to the beach.
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16. He used to swim very well.
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17. She was very pretty.
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18. The dress was lovely.
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19. He loved his mother.
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20. I saw him this morning.
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Check your answers with those below. If you have more than 5 errors, review Lesson 39.

1. Escribí una carta. (Single completed action)
   
2. Tenía un auto. (Continuous)
   
3. Nos visitaba con frecuencia. (Repeated)
   
4. Hacía el trabajo muy bien. (Repeated)
   
5. Compramos una casa. (Single completed)
   
6. La casa tenía una terraza. (Descriptive)
   
7. Tomaba un taxi todas las mañanas. (Repeated)
   
8. Era muy simpático. (Descriptive)
   
9. Vendió la casa. (Single completed)
   
10. Iba a hacerlo. (“Was going to” is always “iba a”)
    
11. Íbamos a vender la casa.
    
12. Dijo que era terrible. (“That it was” is “que era”)
    
13. enía un perro. (Continuous)
    
14. Quería jugar tenis. (“Wanted” is “quería”)
    
15. Íbamos a la playa.
    
16. Nadaba muy bien. (Repeated)
    
17. Era muy bonita. (Descriptive)
    
18. El vestido era lindo. (Descriptive)
    
19. Quería a su mamá. (Continuous)
    
20. Lo ví esta mańana. (Single completed)
    

Now test yourself on the command. Fill in the blanks below with the Spanish equivalent of the English commands.

1. Open the window. __________
   
2. Answer the telephone. __________
   
3. Get up. __________
   
4. Shut the door. __________
   
5. Come here. __________
   
6. Put it on the table. __________
   
7. Listen. __________
   
8. Tell me. __________
   
9. Don’t fall (down). __________
   
10. Sit down. __________
    
11. Bring it to me. __________
    
12. Give it to me. __________
    
13. Go to the store. __________
    
14. Buy it. __________
    
15. Speak slowly, please. __________
    

Check your answers with those below.

1. Abra la ventana.
   
2. Conteste el teléfono.
   
3. Levántese.
   
4. Cierre la puerta.
   
5. Venga acá.
   
6. Póngalo en la mesa.
   
7. Oiga.
   
8. Dígame.
   
9. No se caiga.
   
10. Siéntese.
    
11. Tráigamelo.
    
12. Démelo.
    
13. Vaya a la tienda.
    
14. Cómprelo.
    
15. Hable despacio, por favor.
    

he he verb endings for the present subjunctive and the command are absolutely identical in all verbs. I am very happy to tell you that since you know the command you also know the present subjunctive. The only thing you will have to learn now is the use of the subjunctive.

The subjunctive is used after certain definite
expressions:

Remember that in the command and in the subjunctive “ar” verbs end in “e,” “er” and “ir” verbs end in “a”.

AR verbs, E
ER and IR verbs, A

Remember also that the subjunctive and the first person singular present are alike except for the final letter.

Combine the words below in different ways to form as many sentences as you can. Be sure to use words from each of the columns in every sentence you form.

A

1	2	3
Quiero que ( I want you, him, her to )	compre venda	un sombrero la casa
Alberto quiere que ( Albert wants you, him, her to )	escriba termine	el artículo el trabajo
Espero que ( I hope that you, he, she will )	lea ( read ) mande ( send )	el poema el paquete
Eduardo espera que ( Edward hopes that you will )	conteste ( answer ) venga	la carta a la fiesta

Translate the following sentences into Spanish. Write out each sentence in Spanish, using the columns above as a guide. Check your sentences with the translations below this exercise.

1. I want you to buy a hat.
   
2. I want you to sell the house.
   
3. Albert wants you to write the article.
   
4. Albert wants him to finish the work.
   
5. I hope that you will read the poem.
   
6. I hope that he will send the package.
   
7. Edward hopes that she will answer the letter.
   
8. I hope that you will come to the party.
   
9. Albert wants you to come to the party.
   
10. Albert wants you to send the package.
    
11. I want you to finish the work.
    
12. I hope that you will sell the house.
    

Check your sentences with the translations below.

1. Quiero que compre un sombrero.
   
2. Quiero que venda la casa.
   
3. Alberto quiere que escriba el artículo.
   
4. Alberto quiere que termine el trabajo.
   
5. Espero que lea el poema.
   
6. Espero que mande el paquete.
   
7. Eduardo espera que conteste la carta.
   
8. Espero que venga a la fiesta.
   
9. Alberto quiere que venga a la fiesta.
   
10. Alberto quiere que mande el paquete.
    
11. Quiero que termine el trabajo.
    
12. Espero que venda la casa.
    

The most important thing to remember about the subjunctive is that:

THE FIRST PERSON SINGULAR PRESENT (indicative) AND THE SUBJUNCTIVE ARE ALIKE, EXCEPT FOR THE FINAL LETTER.

1. Cover up the two right-hand columns.
   
2. Write the first person singular present of each verb (as in the second column below).
   
3. Write the subjunctive of each verb (as in the third column below).
   
4. Check your columns with those below.
   
5. Read the columns aloud, firmly stressing the heavy-type letters in the second and third columns.