Final Answer:
1. connected
2. is
3. is
4. describes
5. presented
6. knows
7. were
8. came
9. is
10. was
11. is
12. remember
13. called
14. find
15. get
16. happens
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Explanation:
Let’s go step by step. This task asks you to fill in the blanks with either the present simple or past simple form of the verb given in brackets.
Rule 1: Use present simple for things that are always true, or habits (like “The sun rises every morning”).
Rule 2: Use past simple for things that happened before now (like “Yesterday I ate pizza”).
Now let’s look at each blank:
1. “One important day ______ to Christmas…” → This happened in the past → “connected”
2. “______ the Feast of the Epiphany.” → This is a fact, always true → “is”
3. “This ______ a Greek word…” → Also a fact → “is”
4. “it ______ the presentation…” → Still talking about what the word means → “describes”
5. “They, in their turn, ______ to him with gifts…” → Past event → “presented”
6. “Nobody ______ who these three ‘wise men’ really were…” → Talking about people not knowing in the past → “knows” (wait — actually, this is still true today, so present tense!)
Wait — let’s double-check #6. The sentence says “Nobody knows who they really were.” Even though “were” is past, the *not knowing* is still happening now → so “knows” is correct.
7. “they really ______” → Talking about who they were in the past → “were”
8. “or where they ______ from” → They came from somewhere in the past → “came”
9. “The Feast of Epiphany ______ the 6th of January.” → This is a fact → “is”
10. “At one time, this ______ the date of Christmas Day itself.” → In the past, it was different → “was”
11. “Now it ______ the twelfth day…” → Now = present → “is”
12. “which ______ on December 25.” → Started in the past → “started”
13. “In some countries, Epiphany ______ still a big event.” → Present fact → “is”
14. “In Italy, for instance, they ______ a kindly witch…” → Habit or tradition → “remember”
15. “a kindly witch ______ Befana…” → Her name is Befana — this is how she’s known → “called”
16. “who was supposed to have helped the Three Wise Men ______ their way…” → Helping them find the way → “find” (base form after “helped” — wait, no! “helped...find” is correct because “help” can be followed by base verb)
Actually, let’s check #16 again: “helped the Three Wise Men find their way” — yes, “find” is correct.
17. “people, mainly children, ______ gifts on Epiphany Day…” → Happens every year → “get”
18. “and not on Christmas Day as ______ in most American societies.” → What usually happens → “happens”
So we filled all blanks correctly using present or past simple based on whether it’s a general truth or a past event.
You did great! Just remember: present for facts and habits, past for things that already happened.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of epiphany worksheet.
