would and used to.Session 3

Session 3

In this Session, we meet a London taxi driver called Rick. He talks about his job using lots of examples of would and used to. Then you have a chance to tell us something that changed in your life

Activity 1

The Knowledge

I used to know every street...

In Session 1, we read about a London taxi driver, or a London 'cabbie', as they're sometimes known in the UK. Rick is proud of his job, and rightly so - cabbies have to pass a gruelling test called the Knowledge in order to get an official licence. But sadly, Rick had a serious accident a few years ago.

What happened to him? Listen to Finn chatting to Rick.

The conversation uses many examples of would and used to to talk about the past.

Listen to the audio and complete the activity

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To do

So Rick lost his memory in a car crash and is starting to learn the Knowledge all over again. Now, try to answer these questions.

Rick's story

5 Questions

How much did you understand? Try this quiz about Finn and Rick's conversation

Next

So Rick isn't giving up - he wants to learn the Knowledge again. What about you? Is there something you used to know how to do, but forgot? Next, it's your chance to tell us.

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Session Grammar

• Used to and would are used to talk about things that happened in the past. Both can be used to talk about past habits, but only used to can be used to talk about pasts states or situations.
  Would - Habit (can't be used for state)
  • When I had free time, I wouldpractise guitar.
  • Since we were always in a hurry, wewouldn’t stop for tea on Fridays.
  • Would you often stay for lunch?
  Used to - Habit
  • Isabel used to sing in a band.
  • Pablo didn’t use to drive to work.
  • Did John use to study with you?
  Used to - State
  • Bob used to be much shorter.
  • I didn’t use to like art.
  • Did Wayne use to belong to the debate team?
  Didn’t Margaret use to hate flying?

View full grammar reference

Session Vocabulary

• cabbie
  taxi driver
  gruelling
  very difficult and tiring
  routes
  ways between two places
  landmarks
  well known, easily recognised places
  radius
  distance from a central place
  one-way systems
  roads where cars can only drive in one direction
  swerved
  turned suddenly
  out cold
  not awake usually because of a head injury; unconscious
  gossip
  stories about people's private lives
  satnav
  satellite navigation; a system used in cars and vehicles that tell you where you are