Do you know the difference between the Spanish prepositions por and para? Although both can be translated as "for" in certain instances, these two oft-confused words have different uses in Spanish and a wide variety of translations in different contexts. In the most general terms, por is used to indicate a cause or reason while para indicates a goal or purpose. If you need to learn or review the uses of por and para in greater detail, we recommend that you peruse Yabla's lesson entitled Por vs. Para: How to Use These Spanish Prepositions. Then, when you're ready, test your knowledge with this quiz!
In the following sentences, choose the preposition por or para that correctly completes each sentence.
a. por
b. para
a. por
b. para
a. por
b. para
a. por
b. para
a. por
b. para
a. por
b. para
a. por
b. para
a. por
b. para
a. por
b. para
a. por
b. para
a. por
b. para
a. por
b. para
a. por
b. para
a. por
b. para
a. por
b. para
a. por
b. para
a. por
b. para
Choose the correct combination of the prepositions por and para to make the sentences grammatically correct.
a. por, para
b. para, por
c. para, para
d. por, por
a. por, para
b. para, por
c. para, para
d. por, por
a. Por, por, por
b. Para, para, para
c. Por, para, para
d. Por, por, para
The following are the answers to all of the questions in this Por vs. Para Quiz as well as the translations and grammatical reasons for each.
1. Correct Answer: b. para
Las tijeras son para cortar.
The scissors are for cutting.
REASON: The Spanish preposition para is used to talk about the use of something.
2. Correct Answer: a. por
Vamos a viajar por Europa este verano.
We're going to travel in Europe this summer.
REASON: Use por when talking about approximate location.
3. Correct Answer: a. por
Yo voy al gimnasio cuatro veces por semana.
I go to the gym three times a week.
REASON: When referring to the frequency of an action, choose the preposition por. Note the alternative translation in the following example from the Yabla Spanish video library:
Serían trescientos euros por mes
It would be three hundred euros per month
Caption 55, Karla e Isabel Alquilar una habitación - Part 2
Play Caption
4. Correct Answer: b. para
Noel tiene que entregar su trabajo para el lunes.
Noel has to turn in her project on Monday.
REASON: When talking about a future point in time or deadline, pick para.
5. Correct Answer: a. por
Lo hice por amor.
I did it for love.
REASON: The Spanish preposition por can be used to talk about the reason for something.
6. Correct Answer: b. para
Ellos prepararon una cena espectacular para mi familia.
They made an amazing dinner for my family.
REASON: When naming a recipient, go with para, as in the following clip:
Este libro es para ti.
This book is for you.
Caption 47, Carlos y Cyndy Uso del Voseo en Argentina
Play Caption
7. Correct Answer: b. para
Para mí, Daniel es el mejor restaurante de Nueva York.
To me, Daniel is the best restaurant in New York.
REASON: Para in Spanish can be employed to express a personal opinion.
8. Correct Answer: a. por
A Guillermo le encanta caminar por la ribera.
Guillermo loves to walk along the riverbank.
REASON: The Spanish preposition por can be placed prior to place names to denote a course of movement within that location.
9. Correct Answer: b. para
Mi mamá vino para visitarme.
My mom came to visit me.
REASON: When talking about the purpose for something, opt for the preposition para.
10. Correct Answer: a. por
Nosotros solemos estar de muy mal humor por la mañana.
We tend to be in a very bad mood in the morning.
REASON: When referencing the time of day, use por.
11. Correct Answer: a. por
Juan esperó por cuatro horas en una fila para comprar las entradas.
Juan waited for in a line for four hours to buy the tickets.
REASON: The Spanish preposition por is correctly used in this sentence to describe duration, like in this similar example:
Por muchos años estuvo abandonado,
For many years, it was abandoned,
Caption 66, Amaya Teatro romano
Play Caption
12. Correct answer: a. por
Orlando compró un auto nuevo por mucho dinero.
Orlando bought a new car for a lot of money.
REASON: Por should be used to speak about financial transactions.
13. Correct answer: b. para
Carla trabaja para una empresa muy famosa.
Carla works for a very famous company.
REASON: Para is the correct Spanish preposition for referring to employment.
14. Correct answer: a. por
Hay que subir por las escaleras para llegar al segundo piso
You have to go up [using/with] the stairs to get to the second floor.
REASON: Utilize por to describe the means used to do something.
15. Correct answer: a. por
El edificio fue construido por un arquitecto muy reconocido.
The building was built by a very famous architect.
REASON: In passive sentences in Spanish, the preposition por can be employed to designate who or what performed an action.
16. Correct answer: b. para
Los estudiantes van para la escuela.
The students are going to the school.
REASON: Para in Spanish can refer to the direction of or destination for some movement, as we see twice here:
Andrea, yo me voy para donde Amalia y usted salga para el hotel.
Andrea, I'll go to Amalia's and you go to the hotel.
Caption 42, Confidencial: El rey de la estafa Capítulo 2 - Part 9
Play Caption
17. Correct answer: a. por
Por lo que veo, ella está enferma y no va a poder venir.
From what I can see, she's sick and isn't going to be able to come.
REASON: Por is the correct Spanish preposition for providing evidence that is used to form a conclusion.
18. Correct answer: a. por, para
Liliana está estudiando por cinco horas cada día para su examen.
Liliana is studying for five hours a day for her test.
REASON: Despite the fact that both por and para are translated into English as "for" in this sentence, it is necessary to choose por in Spanish to denote duration and para to state an objective.
19. Correct answer: b. para, por
El libro que compré para mi mamá fue escrito por su autor favorito.
The book that I bought for my mom was written by her favorite author.
REASON: Here, the word para refers to a recipient while por points to the agent of an action in a passive sentence.
20. Correct answer: d. por, por, para
Por la tarde, me gusta caminar por mi barrio para relajarme.
In the evening, I like to walk around my neighborhood in order to relax.
REASON: In this sentence, por refers to the time of day as well as a general location, and para states a purpose.
That's all for this quiz on the Spanish prepositions por vs. para. We hope you did well! For more on this topic, be sure to check out Yabla's three-part video series, Las preposiciones 'por' y 'para' , and don't forget to write us with your questions and comments.
Do you feel confident about the difference between the Spanish verbs saber and conocer? Although both can mean "to know," these two verbs have different uses and connotations. If you need to learn or review their meanings, you might want to check out our lesson entitled Saber vs. Conocer: Do You "Know" the Difference? And if you do, you're ready to test yourself out with this quiz!
In the following sentences, choose the correct conjugation of saber or conocer to fill in the blank.
a. Sabes
b. Conoces
a. supe
b. conocí
a. supe
b. conocí
a. Sabes
b. Conoces
a. sabe
b. conoce
a. sabemos
b. conocemos
a. sé
b. conozco
a. Sabías
b. Conocías
a. Saben
b. Conocen
a. saber
b. conocer
The following are the answers to all of the questions in this Saber vs. Conocer Quiz as well as the translations and grammatical reasons for each.
1. Correct Answer: a. Sabes (saber)
¿Sabes quién es el presidente de Argentina?
Do you know who the president of Argentina is?
REASON: The Spanish verb saber is used to describe having knowledge of facts.
2. Correct Answer: b. conocí (conocer)
Ayer conocí a mi profesor nuevo.
Yesterday I met my new teacher.
REASON: The verb conocer is used to talk about "knowing" people. As you can see in this example, its meaning changes in the preterite tense from "to know" to "to meet."
3. Correct Answer: a. supe (saber)
Ayer supe que mi amiga se va a casar.
Yesterday I found out that my [female] friend is going to get married.
REASON: The verb saber is used to talk about "knowing" information. Its meaning also changes in the preterite from "to know" to "to find out." Let's look at a similar example:
Igual, lo importante es que supimos que estás buscando grupo
Anyway, the important thing is that we found out that you are looking for a group
Caption 58, X6 1 - La banda - Part 6
Play Caption
4. Correct Answer: b. Conoces (conocer)
¿Conoces Colombia?
Have you been to Colombia?
REASON: The Spanish verb conocer is employed to express familiarity with a place in the sense of "having been" there.
5. Correct Answer: a. sabe (saber)
Juan sabe esquíar muy bien.
Juan knows how to ski very well.
REASON: The verb saber plus an infinitive verb describes "knowing how" to do some action, or possessing some skill.
6. Correct Answer: b. conocemos (conocer)
Nos conocemos hace veinte años.
We've known each other for twenty years.
REASON: This is another example of the use of the verb conocer to talk about "knowing" people.
7. Correct Answer: b. conozco (conocer)
Yo no conozco esa película.
I'm not familiar with that movie.
REASON: Conocer in Spanish can refer to "being familiar with" things.
8. Correct Answer: a. Sabías (saber)
¿Sabías que las ballenas azules antárcticas son las mamíferas más grandes del mundo?
Did you know that Antarctic blue whales are the largest mammals in the world?
REASON: To talk about "knowing" facts, choose the verb saber, which we see in the imperfect tense in this caption.
9. Correct Answer: a. saber
¿Saben ustedes a qué hora empieza el show?
Do you guys know what time the show starts?
REASON: Saber is used here to speak about "knowing" information.
10. Correct Answer: a. saber (saber)
Tenemos que saber buscar balance en la vida.
We have to know how to seek balance in life.
REASON: This is another example of the verb saber + infinitive to talk about a skill or ability. Let's see another example of this use from Yabla's video library:
Ella también sabe cocinar...
She also knows how to cook...
Caption 22, Misión Chef 2 - Pruebas - Part 8
Play Caption
That's all for this quiz on the Spanish verbs saber vs. conocer. We hope you did well, and please don't forget to write us with your questions and comments!
Do you know the difference between the Spanish verbs ser and estar? Although both mean "to be," the two verbs have different uses in Spanish. In very general terms, ser is used for more permanent characteristics while estar is used for fleeting conditions. If you need to learn or review the uses of these verbs in more detail, we recommend this lesson from the Yabla Spanish archives entitled Ser and Estar: An Easy Trick for Using These Verbs. Then, when you feel prepared, test yourself out with this quiz!
In the following sentences, choose the correct conjugation of ser or estar to fill in the blank.
a. es
b. está
a. son
b. están
a. es
b. está
a. es
b. está
a. soy
b. estoy
a. somos
b. estamos
a. estoy
b. soy
a. sois
b. estáis
a. son
b. están
a. eres
b. estás
a. son
b. están
a. sois
b. estáis
The following are the answers to all of the questions in this Ser vs. Estar Quiz as well as the translations and grammatical reasons for each.
1. Correct Answer: a. es (ser)
Diego es una persona amable y inteligente.
Diego is a kind and intelligent person.
REASON: The Spanish verb ser is used to describe fixed characteristics of a person, place, or thing.
2. Correct Answer: a. son (ser)
Son las diez y media de la mañana.
It's ten thirty in the morning.
REASON: Always use the verb ser when talking about time. Let's look at another example from Yabla's video library:
Hoy es viernes. Son las siete de la tarde
Today is Friday. It's seven in the evening
Caption 4, Los Reporteros - Crecen los robos en tiendas
Play Caption
3. Correct Answer: b. está (estar)
Mi vecino está en Colombia ahora.
My neighbor is in Colombia now.
REASON: When referring to something or someone's location, choose the verb estar.
4. Correct Answer: a. es (ser)
Mi vecino es de Colombia.
My neighbor is from Colombia.
REASON: Although this example might initially seem similar to the previous one, the word de (from) in this one tips us off that it is referring to origin, which requires the verb ser. Let's see another example:
Eh... Soy argentino y español; mi madre es catalana.
Um... I'm Argentinean and Spanish; my mother is Catalonian.
Caption 3, World Travel Market en Londres - Raúl nos habla de México
Play Caption
5. Correct Answer: b. estoy (estar)
Yo estoy hablando por teléfono en este momento.
I'm talking on the phone right now.
REASON: The key word to remember this use of the verb estar is action. In fact, the verb estar is an integral part of the Spanish present progressive tense, which consists of the verb estar plus the present participle form (equivalent to -ing verbs in English). This tense describes actions unfolding in the present moment, as in the following example:
"¿Qué estás pensando, Aminata?"
"What are you thinking about, Aminata?"
Caption 58, Aprendiendo con Carlos - El microrrelato
Play Caption
6. Correct Answer: b. estamos (estar)
Nosotros estamos sentados en el auditorio.
We're seated in the auditorium.
REASON: Employ the verb estar to talk about position.
7. Correct Answer: a. estoy (estar)
Yo estoy muy contenta porque mi amiga me viene a visitar.
I'm very happy because my friend is coming to visit me.
REASON: When talking about emotions, which tend to be fleeting, it's necessary to use the verb estar.
8. Correct Answer: a. sois (ser)
Vosotros sois altos y flacos.
You guys are tall and thin.
REASON: To provide descriptions, utilize the verb ser along with the pertinent adjectives.
9. Correct Answer: b. están
Casi todos los alumnos están enfermos.
Almost all of the students are sick.
REASON: When describing temporary conditions, such as illness, stress, business, etc., pick the veb estar.
10. Correct Answer: a. eres (ser)
Tú eres maestro de inglés.
You're an English teacher.
REASON: Occupations should be spoken about with the verb ser.
11. Correct Answer: a. son (ser)
Francisco y Eliana son primos.
Francisco and Eliana are cousins.
REASON: The verb ser is the correct choice when describing relationships.
12. Correct answer: b. estáis (estar)
¿Cómo estáis vosotros hoy?
How are you today?
REASON: Since how one "is" changes from moment to moment, this common question might evoke answers that include conditions or emotions. It thus employs the verb estar, as do its potential responses:
Yo estoy bien,
I'm well,
Caption 8, Cleer y Lida - Llegando a una nueva ciudad
Play Caption
Estoy muy enfadada.
I am very angry.
Caption 31, El Aula Azul - Estados de ánimo
Play Caption
That's all for this quiz on the Spanish verbs ser vs. estar. We hope you did well, and don't forget to write us with your questions and comments.
Do you know the difference between the present indicative and the present subjunctive moods in Spanish? Most simply put, the indicative depicts certainty and objectivity while the subjunctive describes doubt and subjectivity. If you would like to learn about or brush up on these concepts, we suggest lessons from Yabla's Spanish lesson archives on how to use the Spanish present indicative and when to use the Spanish subjunctive, and when you feel ready, test your knowledge with this quiz!
In the following sentences, choose the correct present indicative or subjunctive verb to fill in the blank.
a. va
b. vaya
a. viene
b. venga
a. estás
b. estés
a. viene
b. venga
a. saca
b. saque
a. llueve
b. llueva
a. llamo
b. llame
a. giran
b. giren
a. practicas
b. practiques
a. visitamos
b. visitemos
These tougher bonus round questions include more than one verb in the present indicative and/or subjunctive mood(s), as well more options. Are you ready?!
a. quiero, invita
b. quiera, invite
c. quiero, invite
d. quiera, invita
a. tiene, viaja
b. tenga, viaje
c. tiene, viaje
d. tenga, viaja
a. asistimos, estamos
b. asistamos, estemos
c. asistimos, estemos
d. asistamos, estamos
a. Estamos, vemos
b. Estemos, veamos
c. Estamos, veamos
d. Estemos, vemos
a. pido, dices, eres
b. pida, digas, seas
c. pido, digas, seas
d. pida, dices, seas
The following are the answers to all of the questions in this Present Indicative vs. Subjunctive Quiz as well as the translations and grammatical justifications for each.
1. Correct Answer: a. va (indicative)
David va al gimnasio todos los días.
David goes to the gym every day.
REASON: The indicative mood is used to describe routines and repetitive actions in the present.
2. Correct Answer: b. venga (subjunctive)
Espero que María venga a la fiesta; hace mucho que no la veo.
I hope that Maria comes to the party; I haven't seen her for a long time.
REASON: The subjunctive mood should be employed in a sentence's dependent clause following que (that) or some other subordinating conjunction when the main clause, in this case espero que (I hope that), expresses some wish, hope, or desire. In other words, although the speaker "hopes" that Maria will come to the party, we don't know if she will.
3. Correct Answer: b. estés (subjunctive)
Nos alegra mucho de que estés aquí.
We're really happy that you're here.
REASON: Although the speaker is certain of the person to whom they are speaking's presence, the subjunctive is utilized in dependent clauses that follow a subject's emotional or subjective reaction. Let's take a look at a similar example where emotion in the main clause triggers the subjunctive in the dependent one:
me da miedo que mis seres queridos sufran
it scares me for my loved ones to [potentially] suffer
o que les pasen cosas malas.
or for bad things to happen to them.
Caption 41, El Aula Azul - La Doctora Consejos: Subjuntivo y sentimientos
Play Caption
4. Correct Answer: a. viene
Juan viene ahora mismo.
Juan is coming right now.
REASON: The present indicative is used to portray actions that are unfolding at the present moment.
5. Correct Answer: b. saque (subjunctive)
Juan estudió muy poco para el examen. Dudo que saque una buena nota.
Juan studied very little for the exam. I doubt that he'll get a good grade.
REASON: When doubt or disbelief is expressed in a Spanish sentence's main clause, the verb in the dependent clause must be in the subjunctive.
6. Correct Answer: b. llueva (subjunctive)
Todos nos vemos afectados por la sequía. Ojalá que llueva pronto.
We're all affected by the drought. Hopefully it will rain soon.
REASON: When a verb follows the word Ojalá, which means roughly "hopefully," it will be always be conjugated in the subjunctive. Let's see another example:
y ojalá disfruten del aprendizaje de nuestro idioma.
and I hope you enjoy learning our language.
Caption 56, Hispanoamericanos en Berlín - Manuel y El barrilito
Play Caption
7. Correct Answer: a. llamo
Yo te llamo mañana.
I'll call you tomorrow.
REASON: Sometimes, actions that will happen in the near future are expressed with the present indicative in Spanish.
8. Correct Answer: a. giran
Los planetas giran alrededor del sol.
The planets revolve around the sun.
REASON: Facts and universal truths are described with the Spanish present indicative, as in the following caption:
Ámsterdam cuenta con setenta y cinco kilómetros de canales
Amsterdam has seventy-five kilometers of canals
y tiene más de mil puentes.
and has more than a thousand bridges.
Captions 60-61, Viajando con Fermín - Ámsterdam
Play Caption
9. Correct Answer: b. practiques (subjunctive)
Si quieres ser músico profesional, es muy importante que practiques mucho.
If you want to be a professional musician, it's very important that you practice a lot.
REASON: Unless they express certainty, impersonal expressions such as es importante que (it's important that), es raro que (it's strange that), es bueno/malo que (it's good/bad that), etc. are followed by a verb in the subjunctive.
10. Correct Answer: b. visitemos (subjunctive)
Recomiendo que visitemos Barcelona durante nuestro viaje a España.
I recommend that we visit Barcelona during our trip tp Spain.
REASON: When making recommendations to others, the verb that follows must be in subjunctive, like in the following clip:
les aconsejo que vayan a Zipaquirá,
I advise you to go to Zipaquira,
Caption 29, Aprendiendo con Carlos - América precolombina - Mitos y leyendas Muiscas
Play Caption
11. Correct Answer: c. quiero (indicative), invite (subjunctive)
Yo quiero que Manuel me invite a la fiesta.
I want Manuel to invite me to the party.
REASON: The indicative verb in the main clause (quiero) expresses a wish or desire, which triggers the subjunctive in the dependent clause.
12. Correct Answer: a. tiene (indicative), viaja (indicative)
Mariela tiene muchas ganas de conocer Brazil. Es seguro que viaja allá este verano.
Mariela really wants to go to Brazil. She'll surely travel there this summer.
REASON: Since it's a fact that Mariela wants to go to Brazil, the first verb (tiene) is in the indicative. The second verb (viaja) is also in the indicative because it follows an impersonal expression that expresses certainty.
13. Correct Answer: d. asistamos (subjunctive), estamos (indicative)
No creo que asistamos al evento. Todos estamos muy enfermos.
I don't think we'll attend the event. We're all really sick.
REASON: In the first sentence, the main clause No creo que (I don't think that) expresses disbelief, triggering the subjunctive in the dependent clause. In the second sentence, estamos (we're) is in the indicative because it's a fact that "we're all sick."
14. Correct Answer: a. Estamos (indicative), vemos (indicative)
Estamos en contacto. Nos vemos pronto.
We'll be in touch. See you soon.
REASON: These common expressions are examples of how the Spanish present indicative can be used to talk about actions to take place in the near future.
15. Correct Answer: c. pido (indicative), digas (subjunctive), seas (subjunctive)
Te pido que me digas la verdad, que siempre seas sincero conmigo.
I ask you to tell me the truth, to always be honest with me.
REASON: Once again, the verb in the main clause, pido (I ask), is in the indicative, and since it indicates a desire, the following verbs in the dependent clause, digas (to tell) and seas (to be), are in the subjunctive.
That's all for this quiz. How did you do?! To better understand the various uses of the Spanish present indicative and subjunctive, we have a plethora of lessons and videos in our archives to assist you! For starters, try Clase Aula Azul's series Pedir deseos (Making Wishes) and Información con subjuntivo e indicativo (Information with Subjunctive and Indicative), Ana Carolina's El modo subjuntivo (The Subjunctive Mood), and Doctora Consejos (Doctor Advice) videos like Subjuntivo y sentimientos (Subjunctive and Feelings) and Subjuntivo y persona ideal (Subjunctive and Ideal Person). In the meantime, we hope you've enjoyed this Present Indicative vs. Subjunctive Quiz, and don't forget to write us with your questions and comments.
Do you know the difference between the Spanish preterite and imperfect tenses? In a nutshell, the preterite describes completed past actions, while the imperfect describes conditions or qualities, or actions that were not yet completed or in progress at a specific moment in the past. Can you insert the correct choices in different contexts, and do you know the grammatical reasons for doing so? Test your knowledge of these two different Spanish past tenses with the following quiz!
In the following sentences, choose the correct preterite or imperfect verb(s) to fill in the blank(s).
a. nacía
b. nací
a. preparaba
b. preparó
a. Eran
b. Fueron
a. salía
b. salió
a. era, Tenía
b. fue, Tuvo
a. visitaban
b. visitaron
a. obtenía
b. obtuvo
a. tenían
b. tuvieron
a. Nos levantamos, nos arreglamos, nos fuimos
b. Nos levantábamos, nos arreglábamos, nos íbamos
a. Estuvimos
b. Estábamos
All of our trickier bonus round questions will involve more than one verb in the preterite and/or imperfect tense(s), as well more choices. Are you up for the challenge?!
a. bailó, se tropezó
b. bailaba, se tropezaba
c. bailó, se tropezaba
d. bailaba, se tropezó
a. estuvo, fue
b. estaba, era
c. estuvo, era
d. estaba, fue
a. conocí, conocí
b. conocía, conocía
c. conocí, conocía
d. conocía, conocí
a. empezó, estuvimos
b. empezaba, estábamos
c. empezó, estábamos
d. empezaba, estuvimos
a. fue, se casó, duró
b. era, se casaba, duraba
c. era, se casó, duraba
d. era, se casó, duró
The following are the answers to all of the questions in this Preterite vs. Imperfect Quiz, as well as the translations and grammatical reasons for each.
1. Correct Answer: b. nací (preterite)
Yo nací en Madrid en el año mil novecientos ochenta y cuatro.
I was born in Madrid in nineteen eighty-four.
REASON: The preterite is used for actions that took place at a determined moment in the past. Certain verbs, such as nacer (to be born), are most commonly seen in the preterite.
2. Correct Answer: a. preparaba (imperfect)
Ella todavía preparaba la cena cuando los invitados llegaron.
She was still making dinner when the guests arrived.
REASON: Use the imperfect tense to describe past actions in progress that were interrupted by another action. Interrupting actions, on the other hand, should be in the preterite, as is llegaron in this example.
3. Correct Answer: a. Eran (imperfect)
Eran las cuatro de la tarde y ya se oscurecía.
It was four in the afternoon, and it was already getting dark.
REASON: Past dates and times in Spanish are described with the imperfect tense. Let's see an example:
aunque todavía era el mes de junio,
despite the fact that it was still the month of June,
Caption 39, Fermín y los gatos - Mi gata Poeska
Play Caption
4. Correct Answer: b. salió (preterite)
David estaba en la ducha cuando su esposa salió de la casa para ir a trabajar.
David was in the shower when his wife left the house to go to work.
REASON: The verb salir (to leave) is conjugated in the preterite in this sentence because it interrupts an action in progress. The action in progress, estaba (was), is in the imperfect.
5. Correct Answer: a. era, Tenía (imperfect)
El chico era muy alto. Tenía el pelo negro y los ojos verdes.
The boy was very tall. He had black hair and green eyes.
REASON: Both verbs in this sentence are in the imperfect tense, which is used to describe past conditions and characteristics. Let's hear this use of the imperfect in action:
En lugar de plumas amarillas,
Instead of yellow feathers,
las suyas eran grises
his were grey,
y respecto a sus patas
and regarding his legs,
ellas eran increíblemente grandes y feas.
they were incredibly big and ugly.
Captions 22-25, Cleer - El patito feo
Play Caption
6. Correct Answer: a. visitaban (imperfect)
Los hermanos visitaban a sus abuelos en New Hampshire todos los veranos.
The brothers used to visit their grandparents in New Hampshire every summer.
REASON: The imperfect visitaban is used here because habitual past actions are described with the imperfect.
7. Correct Answer: b. obtuvo (preterite)
La gimnasta rumana Nadia Comaneci obtuvo siete veces una calificacción perfecta durante su carrera.
Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci earned a perfect score seven times during her career.
REASON: Actions that are completed a specific number of times in the past are conveyed with the preterite.
8. Correct Answer: a. tenían (imperfect)
Los gemelos empezaron la escuela cuando tenían tres años.
The twins started school when they were three years old.
REASON: When talking about age in the past, choose the imperfect tense.
9. Correct Answer: a. Nos levantamos, nos arreglamos, nos fuimos (preterite)
Nos levantamos por la mañana, nos arreglamos y nos fuimos a trabajar.
We got up in the morning, we got ready, and we went to work.
REASON: The preterite tense in Spanish should be used to relay a series of completed actions in the past, like in the following caption:
Un día el sol volvió a salir,
One day the sun came out again,
se oyó un ruido atronador
a thunderous noise was heard
y apareció un bello arco de colores en el cielo.
and a beautiful colorful arch appeared in the sky.
Captions 42-44, Aprendiendo con Carlos - América precolombina - El mito de Bochica
Play Caption
10. Correct Answer: b. Estábamos (imperfect)
Estábamos muy emocionados porque nuestra tía nos venía a visitar.
We were very excited because our aunt was coming to visit us.
REASON: When speaking about past emotional states, the imperfect is most often employed. An exception to this rule might be when one suddenly feels an emotion in a particular moment.
11. Correct answer: d. bailaba (imperfect), se tropezó (preterite)
Carla bailaba su solo en el recital cuando de repente se tropezó.
Carla was dancing her solo in the recital when she suddenly tripped.
REASON: The first verb (bailaba) is in the imperfect because it was the action that was interrupted by the second, interrupting action, in the preterite (tropezó). We hope you are getting the hang of this concept!
12. Correct Answer: b. estaba (imperfect), era (imperfect)
Diego estaba muy emocionado porque era el once de enero: el día de su cumpleaños.
Diego was very excited because it was January eleventh: his birthday.
REASON: Both verbs are in the imperfect, the first because it describes a past emotional state, and the second because it refers to a date.
13. Correct Answer: d. conocía (imperfect), conocí (preterite)
Aunque ya conocía a algunas personas en mi escuela, no conocí a mi mejor amigo hasta mi segundo año.
Although I already knew some people at my new school, I didn't meet my best friend until my sophomore year.
REASON: This one is tricky! While both are conjugations of the verb conocer (to meet), the first one is imperfect since it talks about "knowing" people over an extended period of time in the past, whereas the second incidence, in preterite, refers to "meeting" someone at a particular past moment. To learn more such verbs, check out this lesson on verbs that change meaning in the preterite.
14. Correct Answer: c. empezó (preterite), estábamos (imperfect)
En el momento en que empezó a nevar, estábamos en camino a la playa.
At the moment it started to snow, we were on our way to the beach.
REASON: While this is yet another example of a verb in preterite (empezó) that interrupts a past action in progress in the imperfect (estábamos), note that in contrast with the previous examples, the interrupting verb comes first in this example.
15. Correct Answer: d. era (imperfect), se casó (preterite), duró (preterite)
La chica, que era muy guapa y joven, se casó con su novio el día tres de septiembre en una boda que duró más de cinco horas.
The girl, who was very pretty and young, married her boyfriend on September third in a wedding that lasted more than five hours.
REASON: In this example, era (was) is in the imperfect because it describes past traits/characteristics, while se casó (married) and duró are in the preterite because they describe actions with concrete starts/finishes in the past. The verb casarse (to get married) is yet another example of a verb that, when in the past, is most typically seen in the preterite tense, as in the following caption:
Cuando mis papás se casaron, estaba de moda Lucho Bermúdez,
When my parents got married, Lucho Bermudez was in fashion,
Caption 2, Los Años Maravillosos - Capítulo 4
Play Caption
That's all for this lesson. How many answers did you get right?! To better understand these verbs tenses, we recommend the videos from our popular series Carlos Explica (Carlos Explains) on the Spanish preterite tense as well as the Spanish imperfect. In the meantime, we hope you've enjoyed this Preterite vs. Imperfect Quiz, and don't forget to leave us your questions and comments.
How well do you know the Spanish alphabet? If you want to test your knowledge, we would like to invite you to take this short Spanish alphabet quiz. Are you ready? Let's go!
a. 26
b. 27
c. 28
d. 29
a. alphabeto
b. alfagamo
c. alfabeto
d. alfabedario
a. el abeceto
b. el abecedario
c. el abracadario
d. none of the above
a. x
b. w
c. y
d. j
If you want the answers to the previous four questions, please check out our lesson about the Spanish alphabet. Don't worry— we will also give you all of the answers to this quiz at the end of this lesson!
a. 4
b. 5
c. 6
d. 7
a. 2
b. 3
c. 4
d. 5
For the answers to these two questions, please refer to our lesson on the Spanish vowels.
a. uve doble
b. doble u
c. ve doble
d. They are all valid.
To find out, please see our lesson entitled 15 Spanish Words That Start With W.
a. snake
b. frog
c. zebra
d. octopus
For a very helpful hint, listen to the description that animal that Ester provides:
Tiene cuatro patas y una crin, [adivinanzas] pero es diferente al caballo porque tiene rayas blancas y negras.
It has four legs and a mane, [riddles] but it's different from the horse because it has black and white stripes.
Captions 5-7, El Aula Azul Adivinanzas de animales - Part 1
Play Caption
a. m
b. r
c. p
d. s
Find out the answer in this lesson.
a. p
b. r
c. n
d. c
If you're not sure, feel free to consult our lesson about the main differences between Castilian and Latin American Spanish.
And now, as promised, the following are the answers to all of the questions in this Spanish alphabet quiz:
1. How many letters does the Spanish alphabet have? b. 27
2. How do you spell the word "alphabet" in Spanish? c. alfabeto
3. Which of the following is another valid term for "the alphabet" in Spanish? b. el abecedario
4. Which of the following consonants is known as the "Greek i"? c. y
5. How many vowels are there in the Spanish alphabet? b. 5
6. How many vocales abiertas (strong vowels) are there in the Spanish alphabet? b. 3 (a, e and o)
7. Which of the following is NOT a valid term for the letter "w" in Spanish? d. They are all valid.
8. The name of which of the following animals starts with the letter "c" in Spanish? c. Zebra in Spanish is cebra.
9. The double form of which of the following consonants becomes a different Spanish letter with a different sound? b. the consonant "r," as in the word perro (dog)
10. Which of the following consonants is pronounced differently in Spain versus Latin America? d. the consonant "c"
Regarding that last answer, let's see this difference in action with the following clip featuring Carlos from Colombia and Xavi from Spain:
Me encanta comer cereal con yogur de cerezas. Me encanta comer cereal con yogur de cerezas. -OK.
I love to eat cereal with cherry yogurt. I love to eat cereal with cherry yogurt. -OK.
Captions 14-15, Carlos y Xavi Diferencia de pronunciación entre España y Colombia - Part 2
Play Caption
That's all for this lesson. How many answers did you get right?! We hope you've enjoyed this Spanish alphabet quiz, and don't forget to write us with your questions or comments.
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