APIEClass activity: Then and Now Match-up (Speaking & Grammar)
Childhood and memories
Answers and an explanation for each question appear once you add this activity to your own library.
Then and Now Match-up 🧸📱
A fun card game about past habits (used to / would) and life today.
Section 1: Rules of the Game
For the teacher
- 1 Cut and mix the 20 cards before class.
- 2 Give one card to each student. Keep it face-down.
- 3 Start the game. Set a timer for 6 minutes.
- 4 One student in each pair counts the points.
- 5 Listen to the pairs. Check matches with the key.
For the students
- 1 Read your sentence to the class. Do not show your card.
- 2 Listen carefully. Find the person with the matching card.
- 3 Stand with your partner. Prepare sentences with the new words.
- 4 Raise your hands when you finish. You get 3 extra points!
- 5 Tell the class your sentences.
Section 2: Timed Plan (5 Steps • 20 Minutes)
Explain the rules
Give out the cards. Students can only speak. They cannot show cards.
Find a match
Students walk around. They read their cards and find a match.
Practise together
Pairs sit down. They practise sentences with the new words.
Tell the class
Each pair tells the class their sentences. Count their points.
Ask questions
Ask the class the 3 questions about childhood.
🃏 Section 3: Printable Cards (20 Cards • 10 Pairs)
Mix the cards. Give one to each student. The cards have no numbers.
I used to be afraid of dogs.
Now I help to look after animals at a local charity.
I used to hate getting up early.
Now I start work at five in the morning.
I used to be too shy to speak in class.
Now I give talks at work.
I used to eat sweets every day.
Now I limit my sugar.
I used to play football in the street.
Now I like to cheer on my team from the sofa.
I used to take a teddy bear to bed.
Now I fall asleep with my phone next to me.
I used to walk to school.
Now I drive to work.
I used to have long hair.
Now I visit the barber every month.
I used to watch cartoons on Saturday morning.
Now I prefer long documentaries on TV.
I used to visit my grandparents every Sunday.
Now I live far away, so we talk by video.
Section 4: Scoring System
Use the grammar
Get 1 point for each correct sentence. Use used to, would, or didn't use to.
Use the new words
Get 1 point for each unit word. Examples: childhood, memory, miss.
Be the fastest pair
Be the first pair to match. Raise your hands. Speak correctly for 3 points.
Section 5: Sentence Starters (6 Prompts)
Write these starters on the board. They help pairs make sentences.
"In my childhood, I used to..."
Example: "...collect small toys with my brother."
"When I was a teenager, I would always..."
Example: "...walk home with my classmates after school."
"I didn't use to collect any..."
Example: "...animal toys. I was afraid of pets."
"My parents were strict, so I used to pretend to..."
Example: "...be asleep. I was actually reading comics."
"I really miss my old playground where I used to..."
Example: "...play football every single afternoon."
"My favourite childhood memory is when we would..."
Example: "...visit our grandparents every Sunday morning."
Section 6: Teacher Answer Key & Mistakes to listen for
Card 1A: "I used to be afraid of dogs." - Childhood Habit Card
Card 1B: "Now I help to look after animals at a local charity." - Present Reality Card
Card 2A: "I used to hate getting up early." - Childhood Habit Card
Card 2B: "Now I start work at five in the morning." - Present Reality Card
Card 3A: "I used to be too shy to speak in class." - Childhood Habit Card
Card 3B: "Now I give talks at work." - Present Reality Card
Card 4A: "I used to eat sweets every day." - Childhood Habit Card
Card 4B: "Now I limit my sugar." - Present Reality Card
Card 5A: "I used to play football in the street." - Childhood Habit Card
Card 5B: "Now I like to cheer on my team from the sofa." - Present Reality Card
Card 6A: "I used to take a teddy bear to bed." - Childhood Habit Card
Card 6B: "Now I fall asleep with my phone next to me." - Present Reality Card
Card 7A: "I used to walk to school." - Childhood Habit Card
Card 7B: "Now I drive to work." - Present Reality Card
Card 8A: "I used to have long hair." - Childhood Habit Card
Card 8B: "Now I visit the barber every month." - Present Reality Card
Card 9A: "I used to watch cartoons on Saturday morning." - Childhood Habit Card
Card 9B: "Now I prefer long documentaries on TV." - Present Reality Card
Card 10A: "I used to visit my grandparents every Sunday." - Childhood Habit Card
Card 10B: "Now I live far away, so we talk by video." - Present Reality Card
📋 Complete 10-Pair Answer Key
| # | THEN (Past Habit) 🧸 | NOW (Present Reality) 📱 | Why they match |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "I used to be afraid of dogs." | "Now I help to look after animals at a local charity." | afraid of dogs -> looks after animals |
| 2 | "I used to hate getting up early." | "Now I start work at five in the morning." | sleeping late -> starting early |
| 3 | "I used to be too shy to speak in class." | "Now I give talks at work." | shy in class -> speaking at work |
| 4 | "I used to eat sweets every day." | "Now I limit my sugar." | sweets every day -> less sugar |
| 5 | "I used to play football in the street." | "Now I like to cheer on my team from the sofa." | playing in street -> watching on sofa |
| 6 | "I used to take a teddy bear to bed." | "Now I fall asleep with my phone next to me." | teddy bear at night -> phone at night |
| 7 | "I used to walk to school." | "Now I drive to work." | walked to school -> drives to work |
| 8 | "I used to have long hair." | "Now I visit the barber every month." | long hair -> visiting the barber |
| 9 | "I used to watch cartoons on Saturday morning." | "Now I prefer long documentaries on TV." | cartoons -> documentaries |
| 10 | "I used to visit my grandparents every Sunday." | "Now I live far away, so we talk by video." | visiting every week -> talking by video |
🗣️ Example Student Answers
"In my childhood, I used to take a teddy bear to bed. It was my favourite toy. Now, my partner falls asleep with her phone. She is always texting!"
"When I was a child, I would visit my grandparents every Sunday. It is a happy memory. Now I live far away. I really miss them. We talk by video."
Common Grammar Mistakes
✅ Correction: "I used to play football in the street." (Always use the base verb).
✅ Correction: "I used to be afraid..." (Never use would for feelings. Only use it for actions).
Section 7: Activity Variations (3 Tiers + Fast Finishers)
Look at the cards
Students can show their cards for 10 seconds. Then they walk around. This helps shy students.
Only ask questions
Students must make a question from their card. Example: 'Did you use to...?' or 'Do you now...?'
Use 'would' and negatives
Pairs must add one sentence with would. They also add one sentence with didn't use to.
Write true sentences
Fast pairs write 2 true sentences. They write about their childhood and life today.
Section 8: Closing Reflection Questions (3 Prompts)
Spend the last 2 minutes on these questions.
Which childhood habit do you miss the most today?
Students can use phrases like 'I really miss...'. They can also use 'I used to spend hours...'.
Was it easier to make friends when you were a child or now?
Students compare making friends in the past and today.
Which change in the game surprised you the most?
Students talk about the most surprising changes.
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