Stuart again asked Robin if she would like to teach the lesson. This class is a high-intermediate class, and today they will be discussing the differences between the present perfect tense and the simple past. These two tenses are very similar and can be quite confusing for some ESL students. She followed the warm up and introduction from Stuart’s plan, and then explained the day’s activity. After giving the instructions for the first task, she set the students to work. Within a few minutes, the students began talking to one another. Robin settled them down and got them back to work, but again, after a few minutes they began talking. Which of the following is the most likely reason for the noisy classroom? a. The students do not understand the activity. She gave them instructions but did not check to ensure that they were understood. Her students may well be simply asking each other what it is that they are supposed to be doing. b. The activity is too easy for the students. The present perfect and simple past are nearly identical tenses, and although there are subtle differences, once it "clicks" with students, there really isn't much to it. c. The activity is too difficult for the students. These tenses are hard to differentiate even for native English speakers, and the intermediate level is simply too low to introduce this sort of lesson. d. The students do not respect Robin. She is a new teacher and they are being defiant. It is a classic power struggle, and Robin would be wise to firmly shut down this disrespectful behavior.