What is the difference between the preterite and imperfect tense?

The preterite tense is generally used to describe completed actions in the past. For example, "el año pasado, fui a España con mi familia". The imperfect tense is generally used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past. For example "caminaba por la calle cuando vi a mi amigo"

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Lee el texto adaptado de El corazón helado de Almudena Grandes. Raquel, la protagonista de la novela, recuerda un evento significativo de su pasado. Responde a las preguntas en español.


What are the differences between the imperfect and preterite tense?


Que hiciste ayer con tu familia? (example of oral question to demonstrate use of simple past)


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