← Unit 1

used to

Growing up in the Outback – then and now

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Imagine your school is 300 kilometres away … For many children in the Australian Outback, this is real life. They go to the School of the Air. Read Lily’s story and find out how school life used to be – and how it is today.

🦘 Did you know? The first School of the Air opened in Alice Springs on 8 June 1951. The lessons went over the radio of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The school covers about 1.3 million km² – that’s more than three times the size of Germany! It is called “the world’s largest classroom” and celebrated its 75th birthday in May 2026.

Start · Watch the video

Before you start:

  1. Watch this short video about the School of the Air in Australia.
  2. Explain: How does it work – and how has it changed over the years?

Task 1 · Find the form

Read the text. Click on every used to or use to you can find. Then click Check.

Correct: 0 / 0

Task 2 · When do we use it?

Look at the sentences you found. What do they have in common? Choose the right answers.

Correct: 0 / 0

The rules: used to

💡 When?

We use used to for habits (things we did again and again) and states in the past that are not true anymore.

Grandpa used to listen to his lessons on the radio. (Today he doesn’t.)

🧩 Form

used to + infinitive – the same form for all persons:

I / you / he / she / it / we / they used to ride a horse.

❌ used to riding · ❌ used to rode → ✅ used to ride

🔎 Signal words

when I was a child · in the past · years ago · in the 1950s · back then · (not) anymore · but now / today …

⚖️ used to or another past tense?

used toa habit or state that is over now The kids used to answer one after the other.
Simple Pastone finished action, often at an exact time The School of the Air opened on 8 June 1951.
Past Progressivean action in progress at a moment in the past Grandpa was listening to the radio when the phone rang.

💬 Tip: For past habits the Simple Past is often correct, too (Grandpa sent his homework by post.). used to makes it clear: that was a habit – and it is over.

More help in your book: You can find more information and examples on page 115 of your English book.

Negatives and questions

❌ Negative

didn’t use to + infinitive

Grandpa didn’t use to have a computer.

❓ Question

Did … use to + infinitive?

Did you use to have any friends?

Short answers: Yes, I did. / No, I didn’t.

⚠️ Watch out!

After did / didn’t there is no -d:

❌ didn’t used to → ✅ didn’t use to
❌ Did you used to …? → ✅ Did you use to …?

Task 3 · Negatives and questions

Complete Lily’s interview with did, didn’t, use or used.

Correct: 0 / 0

Task 4 · Build sentences

Put the parts in the right order. The German sentence helps you. Watch out for negatives and questions!

Correct: 0 / 0

Task 5 · Your turn!

How was your life when you were little? Write four sentences with used to: two positive sentences, one negative sentence and one question (for example to your parents or grandparents).

My sentences

Example: When I was five, I used to watch cartoons every morning.

Mistake hunt · Beat the clock!

  1. Tap the black box – the text appears and the clock starts.
  2. Find the 8 mistakes with used to and tap them.
  3. Careful: tapping a correct word costs you +5 seconds!
  4. Found all 8? Enter your name and send your time – the fastest student is shown live! 🏆

Talk about it · School of the Air and you

Talk to a partner in English. Start the timer – you have 3 minutes.

  1. Compare: What is different at your school?
  2. Discuss: How would you feel if you had to go to the School of the Air?

Useful phrases: At our school we … · Children at the School of the Air used to … · I would like / wouldn’t like it because … · I think I would miss …

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