Verbs that change meaning Preterite to Imperfecto

Question 1

conocer (Pretérito) -

le conocí en el supermercado

Answer 1

I met someone

I met him in the supermarket

Question 2

conocer (Imperfecto) -

Le conocía en la universidad

Answer 2

I knew someone

I knew him at university

Question 3

querer (Pretérito)

quise ir al centro

Answer 3

I tried

I tried to go to the town centre

Question 4

querer (Imperfecto)

quería ir al centro

Answer 4

I wanted

I wanted to go to the town centre

Question 5

No querer (Pretérito)
No quise ir al centro
No quiso rendirse

Answer 5

Refused
I refused to go to the town centre
He refused to give in

Question 6

No querer (Imperfecto)
No quería ir al centro

Answer 6

didn’t want

I didn’t want to go to the town centre

Question 7

poder (Pretérito) [no poder]
Pudieron hacerlo
Esteban pudo subir la montaña.
El atleta no pudo seguir.

Answer 7

managed to (succeeded) [failed to]
They managed to do it.
Esteban managed to climb the mountain.
The athlete could not continue

Question 8

poder (Imperfecto) [no poder]
Podían hacerlo
Constanza podía cantar como un pájaro.
Nadie podía cambiar la ley.

Answer 8

was able to (had the ability) [wasn't able to]
They were able to do it
Constanza could (was able to) sing like a bird.
Nobody could change the law

Question 9

saber (Pretérito)

Supe la verdad

Answer 9

found something out

I found out the truth

Question 10

saber (Imperfecto)

sabía la verdad

Answer 10

knew something

I knew the truth

Question 11

tener (Pretérito)

Tuvo una carta.

Answer 11

to receive

He received a letter (one action)

Question 12

tener (Imperfecto)

Tenía una carta.

Answer 12

to have

He had a letter (ongoing possession of letter)

Question 13

estar (Pretérito)

estuvimos enfermos

Answer 13

to become/ to get

we got sick /became sick

Question 14

estar (Imperfecto)

estábamos enfermos

Answer 14

to be

We were sick