The Present Perfect Tense

Conversation Starters

Instruction: In pairs, one student will take on the role of the questioner and ask the provided questions. The other student will respond to the questions to the best of their ability. Engage in a conversation, sharing your personal experiences and thoughts based on the questions. Take turns so that both students have the opportunity to ask and answer questions.

This exercise is designed to encourage conversation and the practice of using the present perfect tense at a B1 level.

Welcome to The Present Perfect Tense

1. Have you ever traveled to a foreign country?
   Where have you been to?
   What is the most memorable experience you had there?
2. Have you ever met a celebrity or someone famous?
   Who did you meet?
   Where did you meet him/her/them?
3. Have you ever seen a movie in a theater?
   What was the most recent movie you watched there?
   Is there a specific movie you want to see there again?
4. Have you ever tried a unique dish or food?
   What was it,
   Where did you taste it for the first time?
5. Have you ever lived in a different city or country for an extended period of time?
   Where was it?
   Did you like living there and why?
6. Have you ever participated in a sports event or competition?
   Which sport or activity was it, and how did you feel during the competition?
   Do you have any plans to participate in another sports event in the future?
7. Have you ever experienced a “once in a lifetime” moment or event that you’ll never forget?
   What did you experience?
   Did the experience change you in a good or bad way?
8. Have you ever visited a famous landmark or historical site in your country?
   What is the most memorable thing about your visit there?
   Is there another famous landmark or historical site in your country that you’d like to visit in the future?
9. Have you learned a new skill or taken up a new hobby recently?
   What new skill or hobby is it?
   What inspired you to do so, and how has it been going?
10. Have you ever attended a live music concert?
    Are there any upcoming concerts or events you’re looking forward to attending?
    is there a particular artist you’d love to see live in the future?

Tips and Common Mistakes:

• Remember to use “have” for I, You, We, They and “has” for He, She, It.
• Pay attention to the past participle form of the verb.
• Include time expressions when necessary to clarify the timing of the action.

Click here for a Present Perfect Positive Statements Exercise