Student lesson

How Long Ago? — Teacher Answers

A2 · Ago + past simple · 50–60 minutes

1. Warmer

Model an answer and point to the timeline. Personal answers vary. Ago counts backwards from now.

2. Time expressions

1–C; 2–D; 3–B; 4–A. For this activity, use the everyday equivalents given.

3–4. Reading and comprehension

  1. Six weeks ago.
  2. Five weeks ago.
  3. A new notebook.
  4. No, she didn’t. She wrote in English.

5–6. Grammar and guided practice

  1. met; ago
  2. visited; ago
  3. bought; ago
  4. were; ago
  5. did; start
  6. did not see / didn’t see

Emphasise time period + ago, and base verbs after did/didn’t. For be, use was/were: How long ago were you there? Explain the present perfect only as needed to correct the model error.

7. Teacher-read listening script

Read twice at a clear, natural pace. Pause between readings so learners can compare notes.

My name is Leo. I arrived in New Zealand three months ago. I started school two months ago. I bought a bike a week ago. Two days ago, I rode it to the park with a friend. An hour ago, I phoned my sister. I told her about my new bike.
  1. three months
  2. two months
  3. a week / one week
  4. two days
  5. an hour / one hour

8. Speaking

Answers vary. Accept sensible approximate times. Monitor did + base verb in questions and past verbs in answers. Do not require learners to share personal information.

9. Grammar detective

  1. I met Mia two weeks ago.
  2. She arrived three days ago.
  3. How long ago did you buy it?
  4. We didn’t go there a week ago.

10. Writing and reflection

Check five complete sentences, ago in at least three, and one negative. Sample: I moved here a year ago. I started school six months ago. I met my friend two weeks ago. I didn’t go out yesterday. I watched a film last night.

Exit answers: saw; ago; meet.

Timing and support

Warmer/vocabulary 8 min; reading/comprehension 10; grammar/practice 12; listening 7; speaking/detective 10; writing/reflection 8. Support: give a verb bank (met, visited, bought, were) and the question frame. Extension: add a follow-up question and retell your partner’s answers. Ago is usually practised with past simple at A2; other past forms are possible in wider contexts.