This activity will help you learn Spanish preterite verbs by filling in missing preterite verbs from the chorus and key verses of “Qué Hiciste.” You will practice conjugating regular and irregular verbs in the preterite and notice how subject and context determine the correct form. The instructions and directions are in English; the lyrics and blanks are in Spanish.
Directions
Fill in each blank with the correct preterite form of the verb listed in the word bank. Conjugate for the subject implied by the line (yo, tú, nosotros, ellos, etc.). Some verbs are irregular—pay attention to stem changes and irregular endings. This exercise will help you learn Spanish preterite by using authentic song lyrics.
Cloze activity: “Qué Hiciste”
Ayer los dos soñábamos con un mundo perfecto
Ayer a nuestros labios les sobraban las palabras
Porque en los ojos nos espiábamos el alma
Y la verdad no vacilaba en tu mirada
Ayer nos __________ conquistar el mundo entero
Ayer tú me __________ que este amor sería eterno
¿Qué __________? Hoy __________ con tu orgullo la esperanza
Hoy __________ con tu furia mi mirada
__________ toda nuestra historia con tu rabia
Y __________ tanto amor que te entregaba
¿Qué __________? Nos __________ a destruir las madrugadas
Y nuestras noches las __________ tus palabras
Mis ilusiones __________ con tus falsas
Se te olvidó que era el amor lo que importaba
Y con tus manos __________ nuestra casa
Word bank (infinitives)
- prometer
- jurar
- hacer
- destruir
- empañar
- borrar
- confundir
- obligar
- ahogar
- acabar
- derrumbar
Answer key
Below is the completed text with the correct preterite forms. Use this to check your answers after you finish the exercise and to learn patterns of conjugation.
Ayer los dos soñábamos con un mundo perfecto
Ayer a nuestros labios les sobraban las palabras
Porque en los ojos nos espiábamos el alma
Y la verdad no vacilaba en tu mirada
Ayer nos prometimos conquistar el mundo entero
Ayer tú me juraste que este amor sería eterno
¿Qué hiciste? Hoy destruiste con tu orgullo la esperanza
Hoy empañaste con tu furia mi mirada
Borraste toda nuestra historia con tu rabia
Y confundiste tanto amor que te entregaba
¿Qué hiciste? Nos obligaste a destruir las madrugadas
Y nuestras noches las ahogaron tus palabras
Mis ilusiones acabaron con tus falsas
Se te olvidó que era el amor lo que importaba
Y con tus manos derrumbaste nuestra casa
Quick tips to keep improving
- Identify subjects in each sentence to pick the right ending (yo, tú, él/ella, nosotros, ellos).
- Memorize irregular stems such as hacer → hic-, and practicar irregular endings for U, I, J groups.
- Practice with songs to see natural usage and common verbs in past storytelling; this helps you learn Spanish preterite verbs in context. It is also a way to experience authentic target language culture–key to being able to REALLY communicate with Spanish speaking people.
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