In the Maori language, the differentiation of present vs. past can be somewhat complex, especially for learners coming from English-speaking backgrounds. Tense is often expressed through adverbs indicating time rather than changes to the structure of the verb as in many other languages. Understanding the difference between the present and past tense is crucial in mastering the language, hence this exercise prompts learners to fill gaps in sentences with the correct past or present tense verbs or adverbs.
Exercise 1: Fill in the gaps with the correct past tense verbs or adverbs
1. *Tiki* (to find) toku pukapuka.
2. *Hoko* (to buy) aku matua i tetahi whare hou.
3. *Haere* (to go) ratou ki te moana.
4. *Pukapuka* (to read) ahau i te rongoa.
5. *Moe* (to sleep) te tamaiti.
6. *Mahi* (to do) matou i tetahi hakinakina.
7. *Takatu* (to prepare) ratou i te kai.
8. *Raranga* (to weave) te kuia i te kete.
9. *Whakarongo* (to listen) matou ki te waiata.
10. *Whakanoho* (to sit) te tamaiti ki te kura.
11. *He* (to throw/put) te poaka i roto i te waka.
12. *Whakapau* (to spend) ahau i toku moni.
13. *Korero* (to talk) matou mo te whakapaipai.
14. *Whakareri* (to prepare) ratou mo te whawhai.
15. *Karanga* (to call) ahau i aku hoa.
2. *Hoko* (to buy) aku matua i tetahi whare hou.
3. *Haere* (to go) ratou ki te moana.
4. *Pukapuka* (to read) ahau i te rongoa.
5. *Moe* (to sleep) te tamaiti.
6. *Mahi* (to do) matou i tetahi hakinakina.
7. *Takatu* (to prepare) ratou i te kai.
8. *Raranga* (to weave) te kuia i te kete.
9. *Whakarongo* (to listen) matou ki te waiata.
10. *Whakanoho* (to sit) te tamaiti ki te kura.
11. *He* (to throw/put) te poaka i roto i te waka.
12. *Whakapau* (to spend) ahau i toku moni.
13. *Korero* (to talk) matou mo te whakapaipai.
14. *Whakareri* (to prepare) ratou mo te whawhai.
15. *Karanga* (to call) ahau i aku hoa.
Exercise 2: Fill in the gaps with the correct present tense verbs or adverbs
1. *Tiki* (to find) aku hoa i te kura.
2. *Kai* (to eat) te tamaiti i te parakuihi.
3. *Haere* (to go) ahau ki te wharepaku.
4. *Titiro* (to look) ratou ki te whare taonga.
5. *Raranga* (to weave) te tamawahine i te whariki.
6. *Mahi* (to do) matou i tetahi mahi.
7. *Whakarongo* (to listen) ahau ki te korero.
8. *Takatu* (to prepare) matou mo te haerenga.
9. *Pukapuka* (to read) te tamaiti i te pukapuka.
10. *Moe* (to sleep) te tamaiti i roto i te whare.
11. *Karanga* (to call) aku koroua i nga tamariki.
12. *Whakanoho* (to sit) te tamaiti i roto i te waka.
13. *Korero* (to talk) taua mo te wharekai.
14. *Whakapau* (to spend) ratou i o ratou moni.
15. *He* (to throw/put) ahau i te rihi ki te kuri.
2. *Kai* (to eat) te tamaiti i te parakuihi.
3. *Haere* (to go) ahau ki te wharepaku.
4. *Titiro* (to look) ratou ki te whare taonga.
5. *Raranga* (to weave) te tamawahine i te whariki.
6. *Mahi* (to do) matou i tetahi mahi.
7. *Whakarongo* (to listen) ahau ki te korero.
8. *Takatu* (to prepare) matou mo te haerenga.
9. *Pukapuka* (to read) te tamaiti i te pukapuka.
10. *Moe* (to sleep) te tamaiti i roto i te whare.
11. *Karanga* (to call) aku koroua i nga tamariki.
12. *Whakanoho* (to sit) te tamaiti i roto i te waka.
13. *Korero* (to talk) taua mo te wharekai.
14. *Whakapau* (to spend) ratou i o ratou moni.
15. *He* (to throw/put) ahau i te rihi ki te kuri.
