perfective vs. imperfective

[milos-dimitrov.livejournal.com]

i'm trying to better understand verb forms and i was wondering if anyone could help me understand the different implications of these questions:

Ты посмотрел/смотрел этот фильм?
Ты позвонил/звонил домой сегодня?
Ты прочитал/читал эту книгу?
На прошлой неделе он заболел/болел?

Comments

[trilbyhat.livejournal.com]

The only example where I see some real difference is 4. If he is still unwell by now, I would say заболел. If he was ill and got better later, I would say болел.

Also, посмотрел фильм does not necessarily mean a completed action: Я посмотрел фильм минут десять и ушел. Я ПОчитал эту книгу и бросил. (But: ПРОчитал means that I have read the entire book)