They _______ (play) soccer many times this year. They _______ (play) soccer after school last autumn.

Key Concept: Past Simple vs. Present Perfect

The Past Simple is used for completed actions at a specific point in the past. The Present Perfect is used for actions that happened over a period of time which is not yet finished, or has relevance to the present. Time markers such as 'last autumn' point to the Past Simple, while 'this year' (if the year is not over) can indicate the Present Perfect.

Solution:

• They have played soccer many times this year. (The year is not over, so the action can continue.)
• They played soccer after school last autumn. (A specific completed period in the past.)

Answer: have played, played