The Present Perfect tense: my life's achievements so far
1. Read the texts aloud to your friend.
2. Ask your friend who each person is.
3. The texts are in the Present Perfect.
Ask for particular information using the Past Simple.
4. What do you think these people are going to do in the future?
10. I've been a top sportsman. I've been World Champion in my sport three
times. I've also been on many TV shows and have made many people happy
with my jokes. My opponents haven't been so happy. I've beaten Sony
Liston twice, have defeated Jo Frazier and have knocked out George Foreman.
But outside of the ring, I've worked for peace. I've taken a Muslim name,
have had meetings with Muslim leaders in the Arab world and have visited
many other countries.
1. Mijail Gorbachov Russia 1931
2. Michael Jackson U.S.A. 1958
3. John Paul II (Karol Wojtyla) Poland 1920
4. Andrew Lloyd Webber UK 1948
5. Carl Lewis USA 1961
6. Elizabeth II UK 1926
7. Madonna USA 1958
8. Maradona Arg. 1960
9. Mandela Nelson S. Afr 1918
10. Mohamed Ali USA 194_
What have you done in your life? Imagine there are four people in an air balloon, but it is losing height and one person has to jump to their death. Each person has to say what they have achieved in their life so far [using the Present Perfect]!
The people may also talk about what they could go on to achieve in the future using English modal verbs to express different degrees of certainty.
Example:
At the end of the discussion, you each write on a piece of paper which two other people should stay in the balloon basket and which one should jump. Discuss your reasons afterwards.