Lexi

I don't understand the concept of imperfect vs. preterite. Please leave tips on how to figure out the difference and please answer whether or not I would conjugate the following verbs in imperfect or preterite so I can check if I'm right or not.

1. Pues, (ser) martes, y yo (caminar) por el parque.

2. El sol (brillar) y yo (estar) contento.

3. Yo (seguir) una senda por los arboles y de repente (ver) a un hombre corriendo a la izquierda.

4. El (tener) algo en la mano.

5. Yo (tratar) de ver de donde (venir) y por que (correr) tan rapidamente.

6. En el (estar) gritando, ---El me (robar) la bolsa mientras yo (leer) el periodico.---

7. Yo (perseguir) al hombre un rato, pero yo no lo (esperar) quince minutos hasta que ellos (llegar).

I know it's alot. I'm sorry. This has been explained how to figure it out so many times and I still can't figure out how it works. Maybe seeing whether or not each of these is preterite or imperfect will help me. Please don't conjuagte the verbs I can do that on my own.

I have a few questions I'm having trouble answering.

1. How do the merchant's clothes reflect his status?

2. How did the Portuguese establish a strong presence in South and Southeast Asia?

3. List three Italian port cities located on major trade routes.

4. In what ways did trade provide the fuel for the Renaissance to develop?

16. Why was it necessary for Venice to get permission to trade in Egypt and Babylon, or Persia?

17. What convinced the pope to give the Venetians a license?

How did it's result affect the future of their empire? I've missed alot of school recently and I'm behind and need help catching up.

Homework help please!