Present & Past Wishes

Exercise 1: The Baccalaureate Blues & Dreams

Rewrite the following sentences using I wish to express a present wish or past regret based on the situation given.

1. Situation: Amina failed her driving test in Rabat because she didn't practice parallel parking.
   Amina: "I wish ____________________________________________________."

2. Situation: Youssef lives in a small village near Azrou, but he really wants to live in Casablanca near the sea.
   Youssef: "I wish ____________________________________________________."

3. Situation: Mehdi didn't buy a ticket for the feat of the National Football Team in Rabat last week.
   Mehdi: "I wish ____________________________________________________."

4. Situation: Salma spends all her pocket money on mint tea and snacks at the local cafe and has no savings for her summer trip to Tangier.
   Salma: "I wish ____________________________________________________."

5. Situation: The weather in Ifrane is extremely cold today, and Hamza forgot his heavy winter coat at home.
   Hamza: "I wish ____________________________________________________."

Exercise 2: WhatsApp Confessions

Read the text messages between two friends, Amine and Reda. Complete the blanks using the correct form of the verbs in brackets (Past Simple or Past Perfect).

Amine: Hey Reda! How was the trip to Chefchaouen last weekend?

Reda: Man, it was a mess! First, I wish I ________________ (1. take) a jacket with me. It rained all Saturday.

Amine: Oh no! What about the camera you bought?

Reda: Don't ask! The battery died in the middle of the Medina. I wish I ________________ (2. charge) it before leaving the hotel.

Amine: Haha, typical! And are you ready for the Bac English test tomorrow?

Reda: Not really. I'm so stressed. I wish I ________________ (3. be) more organized with my revision schedule right now.

Amine: Well, stop scrolling on TikTok! I wish our school ________________ (4. offer) extra evening classes for revision this month. It would help a lot.

Reda: True! Anyway, I wish we ________________ (5. have) a longer holiday after the exams. I just want to sleep for a week!

Exercise 3: Correct the Mistakes

Find and correct the grammar mistake in each of the following sentences spoken by Moroccan university applicants.

1. I am so tired today. I wish I didn't stay up late watching the Champions League match last night.
   Correction: __________________________________________________

2. Soukaina wishes she can speak French fluently so she could pass her interview at the ENCG.
   Correction: __________________________________________________

3. My brother didn't get accepted into the medical faculty in Oujda. He wishes he studied harder for the regional exam last year.
   Correction: __________________________________________________

4. I wish the train from Casablanca to Marrakech was faster right now; I am late for my appointment.
   Correction: __________________________________________________

Exercise 4: Cultural Dilemmas (Creative Production)

Write two sentences for each scenario using "I wish..." — one expressing a present wish and one expressing a past regret.

Scenario A: Eid Al-Adha Prep

You forgot to buy coal and spices early, and now the neighborhood hanout (grocery store) is closed on Eid morning.

• Present Wish: I wish ________________________________________.

• Past Regret: I wish ________________________________________.

Scenario B: The Missed TGV Train

You arrived at the Kenitra station 2 minutes late and missed the Al Boraq train to Tangier.

• Present Wish: I wish ________________________________________.

• Past Regret: I wish ________________________________________.