[Unit 4a] Talking about change: present perf vs past simple

Question 1

I used to _ (work) long hours without thinking twice, but since I _ (change) jobs, I _ (learn) to set boundaries.

Answer 1

I used to work long hours without thinking twice, but since I changed jobs, I’ve learned to set boundaries.

Question 2

When I _ (live) in Berlin, I rarely _ (cook). But these days, I _ (start) cooking almost every evening.

Answer 2

When I lived in Berlin, I rarely cooked. But these days, I’ve started cooking almost every evening.

Question 3

In my twenties, I _ (travel) a lot and _ (not really plan) anything. But now I _ (become) someone who books everything in advance.

Answer 3

In my twenties, I travelled a lot and didn’t really plan anything. But now I’ve become someone who books everything in advance.

Question 4

I _ (not be interested) in politics at all in the past, but in the last couple of years, I _ (start) following the news more closely.

Answer 4

I wasn’t interested in politics at all in the past, but in the last couple of years, I’ve started following the news more closely.

or: I didn’t use to be interested…

Question 5

Ten years ago, I _ (not see) the value in saving. Since then, I _ (build up) a small emergency fund and even _ (start) investing.

Answer 5

Ten years ago, I didn’t see the value in saving. Since then, I’ve built up a small emergency fund and even started investing.

or: I didn’t use to see…

Question 6

Back in university, I _ (not care) much about sleep. Since starting full-time work, I _ (realise) how important it is.

Answer 6

Back in university, I didn’t care much about sleep. Since starting full-time work, I’ve realised how important it is.

or: I didn’t use to care

Question 7

I didn’t use to _ (cook) at all — just _ (live) off takeaway. But this year, I _ (learn) how to make a few proper meals.

Answer 7

I didn’t use to cook at all — just lived off takeaway. But this year, I’ve learned how to make a few proper meals.

Question 8

When I first _ (move) here, I _ (not speak) a word of German. Since then, I _ (take) classes and can now get by in everyday situations.

Answer 8

When I first moved here, I didn’t speak a word of German. Since then, I’ve taken classes and can now get by in everyday situations.