Speaking about a historical event
The Great Siege of Malta, 1565

Level B1 Intermediate
British English

The Knights of St. John were staying in Malta when Suleiman, leader of the Ottoman Empire, sent his large army to destroy them in the summer of 1565. For many years the Knights had been attacking his ships in the Mediterranean and enslaving his people. That summer they attacked one of his most important treasure ships, and so he ordered a fleet of ships to attack Malta.

The Knights had been staying in Malta since the 1530s, and when the Ottoman army arrived, they found that the Grand Harbour had already been heavily fortified. It was extremely difficult for them to defeat the Knights.

The siege lasted for about three months and many brave people died on both sides. The Knights and the Maltese fought very hard and they barely resisted the enemy attacks. On 7th September a small army from Sicily came to rescue the island. What was left of the Ottoman army sailed away the following day.

Nowadays Malta celebrates 8th September as Victory Day.

1. Identify at least one instance of the past simple tense. Why is it used here?
2. Identify at least one instance of the past continuous tense. Why is it used here?
3. Identify at least one instance of the past perfect progressive tense. Why is it used here?